Information warfare and cyber security Research Paper

Information warfare and cyber security - Research Paper Example Referred to as the information warfare, it poses a high security risk to any country’s critical infrastructural base, and is thus of great concern to the various governments as they are forced to create new measures to protect the national assets. Information warfare in the 21st century has become more diverse in nature, with various changes in its design taking place owing to innovativeness in technology and greater informational access. This diverse nature has also expanded the scope for application of information warfare mechanisms into critical non-military arenas, like the commercial environment. The introduction of information through the use of internet and computers within the military arena has given rise to various force multipliers like Network Centric Warfare, Information Operations, and the C4I2SR Systems, and this age of information warfare and cyber terrorism often referred to as Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), has not only changed the way modern wars are fought, but have also opened a new perspective in the domination of a new arena, the cyber space. This paper will take an in-depth look into the sphere of information warfare. Information warfare and cyber security 1 Introduction â€Å"One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the most skillful.† Sun Tzu (Sixth Century B.C). 1.1 Background information on Information warfare The various technological innovations and scientific discoveries that have occurred in the last two or three decades have been in the general benefit of mankind, yet these same scientific advancements have been put to negative use by some, for causing wide scale damages to the society at large. This threat has taken a more distinct form since the arrival of Internet during the 1990s, where not all internet users have used the virtual realms for beneficial or peaceful activities. Information warfare is one such instance where certain crimina ls have put computers (internet) and the information obtained through it, for various nefarious activities. Information warfare is a form of terrorism used effectively to weaken entities, and is an emerging threat for all nations’ worldwide and global commerce, with the potential to effectively breakdown the critical infrastructural framework of any country, and is an example of what Sun Tzu had predicted in the 6th century BC, about â€Å"seizing the enemy without fighting.† In the recent times both instances of attack and degree of threat have reached such large proportions that cyber war is now considered at par with land, air, or sea wars, with a persistently increasing potentiality to cause grave damages to the security of any nation, as were evinced in the attacks on Georgia and Estonia (Beidleman, 2009). This is particularly dangerous in many of the developed nations where the critical infrastructure and processes like commercial activities and utilities, bankin g sector, and mode of communications completely operate through the computers and the cyberspace. Even more than a decade after the Internet came into being, there are no universally recognized uniform codes of laws or an authorized body to govern the cyberspace,

Research Artical Critical Review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Research Artical Critical Review - Assignment Example The article is very informative as it breaks down to the gender that mostly affected, hence indicating the then sport that had numerous casualties. He deemed this would help the athletes practice safely without any endangering themselves. Since article helps maximize the health protection of the athletes and facilitate in reduction of the costs involved in managing injuries as well as illnesses. The study also aimed at ascertaining chances of an illness or an injury occurring repeatedly throughout the games (Engretsen et al 2013). To achieve this, the author utilized both qualitative and quantitative as it involved the assembly of illness and injuries surveillance system for multisport events for the study (Engretsen et al 2013). This involved collection of data from the polyclinics and the national Olympic campaigns as stated earlier and conducting comparisons. Based on the article’s arguments, Engretsen et al (2013) information they have relayed is extremely critical in aiding international Olympic committee tasked with encouraging and supporting the health of the athletes. I like the manner in which authors has taken time to conduct a study on the health of the athletes. It is factual to state if their health is affected, then the Olympic Games would be grievously affected (Engretsen et al 2013). Authors have also evaluated lasting as well as short effects and pinpointed areas of concern such as the geographical conditions that could greviously affect athletes. This confirms authors’ focus and straight-forwardness evident by the way, they uphold heightened confidentiality, which is an indispensable ethic (Engretsen et al 2013). Conversely, authors’ reliance was only on two sources to conduct the study poses a heightened likelihood of erring besides missing some aspects. Authors’ could employ a third and fourth body for comparisons and better judgments when making a conclusion (Engretsen

How gender is vital factor when explaining criminal behaviours

How gender is vital factor when explaining criminal behaviours In this essay the topic of how gender is a vital factor when explaining criminal behaviours will be, examined and analysed, to see the actual extent of genders impact on such behaviours. Gender refers to the opportunities and social attributes associated with being female or male. Different societies have different attributes and responsibilities assigned to males and females; they are socially constructed and are learnt through the socialization process. Gender also determines what is expected of a man or woman Soothill (et al, 2002) explained that criminal behaviours are types of acts that a society perceives as wrong doing, it is formally proceeded against by the law, and leads into convictions. Soothill (et al, 2002) said To understand criminology one needs to recognize that in the related social issues, the possible interpretations of apparent evidence represent viewpoints and philosophies which need to be examined along with the evidence gathered,. Many lives can be controlled by the personal fear of crime. The impact of crime on victims can be immense, and crime can be the harmful exercise of power by one person over another (Soothill et al, 2002). Soothill (et al, 2002) believes, Criminology shows us the diverse and sometimes divided nature of society, rather than always reinforcing the image of a homogenous, uniform society, There are various types of information and knowledge that influences peoples perception of crime. (Soothill et al, 2002). There are direct experiences of crime, mediated experiences, official information and research knowledge; these are the different types of knowledge that inform our understanding of crime. In 1997 the home office figures showed that only 17% of offenders in the British Criminal Justice System were female, Heidensohn (2000 cited in Soothill et al, 2002). In general women are likely to be convicted for offences such as theft or assault and handling stolen goods. Their careers in crime are shorter compared to men (Soothill et al, 2002). The number of women offenders are far less than male offenders, except in offences such as prostitution (Soothill et al, 2002). In terms of womens representation, serious crimes tend to be performed by men, rather than women. (Soothill et al, 2002). This shows that gender and criminal behaviour is stratified into specific types of offences, and the psychology of men can cause them to commit more serious crimes compared to women. The traditional sexual scripts that are within societies are heterosexual and gendered, so perceiving a woman as sexually aggressive, or worse, as a sexual offender, is contrary to the traditional sexual scripts'(Jackson, 1978; Koss Harvey, 1991; Byers, 1996 cited in Myriam S. Denov, 2004 p.3). According to Denov (2004) the criminal behaviour of female offending sexually challenges appropriate female behaviour, when compared to the traditional sexual scripts. Byres agreed that the image of women being described as sexually aggressive is excluded from the traditional sexual scripts, Byres OSullivan (1998 cited in Denov, 2004 p.4). This view of women not being suitable to commit sexual offences can cause females to become reluctant when contemplating whether to commit these types of crimes. These scripts also exclude the image of men as sexually reluctant or as victims of sexual coercion or assault (Lew, 1990, hunter 1990, Mendel, 1995 cited in Denov, 2004 p4). It is portrayed as an abnormality, if a male is sexually assaulted this is due to the perception of masculinity. Denov (2004) reports that up until the 1980s, female sex offenders and their victims were practically ignored, compared to males and their victims which were the main focus in reflecting traditional sexual scripts. Specific sex roles are assigned to each gender (Denov, 2004). The sexually aggressive role is assigned to men (Denov, 2004). Miller (Studying Young Women in Street Crimes). According to this collective story, the gang is an arena in which they receive status and esteem from being strong and being willing to stand up for themselves, exhibiting traits that cultural stories commonly associated with males rather than women, (cited in Bernasco, 2010). Comack Brickey (2007 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.64) suggests that masculinity is the founder of the stereotypical bad girl she is tough spoken, of low socioeconomic status, aggressive and male looking. From the literature on female crimin al behaviour, we can construct a profile of the average female offender. She is likely to be plagued with poverty and to lack an education and job skills. She is generally young, unmarried, involved in unhealthy sexual relationships, and the lone caregiver of small children, (Chesney-Lind Pasko, 2004; Franklin Lutze, 2007 cited in van Wormer p.66). Wright and Jacobs (2004 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.74) reported that in their study of young urban male offenders, they found that the conflict between men were influenced by the needs of maintaining gendered reputations. Miller (2008 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.78) also found that compared to women, men were more apt to view robbery as one means of expressing their masculinity. Men stole items that expressed their manliness, to impress their peers. Girls and women, however, were drawn to take luxury items they felt they need but couldnt justify spending household income on, items such as cosmetics and jewellery (van Wormer, 2010). The blocked opportunities within societies that persist on material success tended to lead individuals into antisocial forms of behaviour, like theft, fraud or drug dealing. This is the opportunity theory. Van Wormer (2010) claims that females are prone to this due to the marginalization they face economically. Those without education or skills felt that they will never make it, pressuring them into committing crimes in order to make it, Van Wormer explained that sociological theories of gang delinquency argue that peer group affiliation and living in crime-ridden neighbourhoods promote crime, (van Wormer, 2010). Relationship and trauma are the main attributes of women who are involved in the criminal justice system; it has the greatest effect, (van Wormer, 2010). Van Wormer (2010) claims, We can sum up this truth in this way: Trauma breeds trauma and hardship more of the same, When crime is related to criminal thought patterns a history of victimization and trauma amongst offending females is greatly evident, (van Wormer, 2010). A vast majority of female offenders endured a tough upbringing which was physically and sexually abusive; this type of victimization is usually continued in their adulthood in the form of rape and battering, this provoked emotional problems and severe stress reactions, linking to the development of their criminal behaviour, (Belknap, 2007; Failinger, 2006; Franklin Lutze, 2007 cited in van Wormer p.66). Roberts (2007 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p81) reported Examined data drawn from a sample of 105 women in prison convicted of killing their husbands/partners and 105 b attered women in a sample from the community in New Jersey. The imprisoned women had a history of being battered. These women were far more likely to have received death threats from their partners than the battered women who did not kill their partners; these threats were specific as to time, place and method. In addition to a history of partner violence, the majority of the women prisoners had a history of sexual abuse, a substance use problem, had attempted suicide, and had access to the batteres guns,. Interviews with 130 San Francisco prostitutes revealed that over half reported sexual abuse in childhood and about half reported having been physically assaulted, (Farley Barkman, 1998 cited in van Wormer, 2010). Van Wormer (2010) reported Among men and women on probation, the BJS (2000) found that 6 in 10 women in state institutions experienced physical or prior abuse. McKee (2006 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.82) focused on the characteristics of females who have murdered their children or infants, he evaluated this by using 30 females in his research, and they varied between girls and women. His research depicted that amongst the 30 females it included those who were: abusive/neglectful, psychotic/suicidal, psychopathic, detached or retaliatory. McKee (2006 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.82) analysed Susan Smith, who drowned her children in a car, kill their children, then plan to kill themselves. Smith had many of the risk factors for suicidal murder: There was a high rate of suicide in her family, including her father, who died when she was a child. Susan was sexually abused by her step father and diagnosed as having bipolar personality disorder, her marriage was shaky and her children were very young, Psychiatric women who murdered their children often showed a high tendency of psychosis, social isolation, depression, lower socioeconomic status, suicidality, substance use, and difficulties in their own childhood, (Friedman et al, 2005 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.81). La Tanya Skiffer (2009 cited in Van Wormer, 2010 p.76) Crime causation. Chris, a 22-year-old woman, was arrested for permitting her husband to sexually abuse her five and nine-year-old nieces. Chriss father was an alcoholic and was abusive to his wife and children. When she was 21, she married a 35-year-old trucker. In accounting for her failure to stop her husbands abuse of the children, Chris suggested that she acted to please her husband, so he would love her. Van Wormer (2010) had interviews with female psychopathic offenders which revealed how they reacted violently to personal insults. One 43-year-old female, for example, reacted to her neighbours racial slur in this way: She pulled out her knife and slashed the offending womans face several times, which required the woman to have other a100 stitches, Women frequently victimized other women whom they viewed as easy targets, (Miller, 2008 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.79). Van Wormer (2010) said that Several of the women, moreover, reported feelings of power and excitement in beating the defenceless, such as dogs and children, According to Strand Belfrage (2005 cited in van Wormer, 2010 p.71) The women were found to display antisocial characteristics through relational aggression, lying, deceitfulness, and lack of impulse control, Testosterone levels are a vital link to criminal behaviour in both males and females, (van Wormer, 2010). An important hormone called cortisol is also vital whe n analysing criminal behaviour especially with females. It is classed as the stress hormone because it is secreted in response to stress. Women who are more likely to commit antisocial behaviour, like violence they are often low in this hormone, (Anderson, 2007 cited in van Wormer, 2010 pg72). Depression is a mental disorder that regularly occured in female offenders and especially adolescent girls, (Bloom, Owen, and Covington, 2003 cited in van Wormer 2010 p.72). Obeidallah and Earls (1999 cited in van Wormer 2010 p.72) examined the link between depression and delinquency was established through a project that was carried out by the Institute of Justice. Males and females had similar low rates of depression but the depression rates of females clearly increased, especially during adolescence. Van Wormer (2010) reported that Interviewers gathered a self-report data on 754 girls in urban Chicago. Comparing the antisocial behaviour of girls who were depressed with those who were not, O beidallah and Earls found that 40% of non depressed engaged in property crimes compared to 68% of girls with depression fifty-seven percent of depressed girls engaged in seriously aggressive behaviour compared to only 13% of those who were not depressed. Overall, these findings suggest that depression in girls may put them at high risk for antisocial behaviour, In 2008, 700 males and 1,640 females were killed by their intimate partners, according to the BJS (Califano et al., 2009) report. Research shows, individuals who are prone to depression and are treacherously violent are more at risk of murdering their partners and killing themselves to, when the breaking up of a relationship occurs, (van Wormer Bartollas, 2010). In conclusion the gender factor is fairly crucial when examining criminal behaviour because it asses involvement and reason. There is a higher involvement of males in the criminal system compared to females. Women mainly indulge in less serious crimes like theft, whiles men usually indulge in more serious crimes. Van Wormer (2010) explained that neutral offences like assault or theft have different meanings to males and females. Miller (cited in Bernasco, 2010) brought to notice how the relations with social genders have changed and is now situational. Situations like relationship and trauma are major elements when focusing on criminal behaviour through gender, relationship and trauma regularly occurred and seemed to have the most efficient effect on the cause of criminal behaviour. Pollock Davis (cited in van Wormer 2010) claim that Policy and decision makers apparently have come to believe the myth that women are more dangerous than was previously believed. It is evident because, the arrest for women increasingly arose for aggravated assaults and simple assaults. This is clear through the dramatic contemporary changes of criminal behaviour compared to the traditional sexual scripts. Van Wormer (2010) believed that the basic biological factors that impinge on gender differences in criminality are informed by research on psychology and neurology, A biological approach accepts that there are fundamental differences between males and females and that these differences interact with cultural norms to influence differences in male/female criminality. Referencing: Van Wormer, K. (2010) Working with Female Offenders: A Gender-Sensitive Approach: Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Soothil, K. (2002) Making Sense of Criminology: Cambridge: Polity Press in association with Blackwell Publishing. Denov, M.S (2004) Perspectives on Female Sex Offending: A Culture of Denial: England: Ashgate Publishing Limited. Bernasco, W. (2010) Offenders on Offending: Learning about crime from criminals: USA: Willan Publishing.

The Stereotypical Old-West Hero :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Stereotypical Old-West Hero Gunsmoke was the longest running radio show ever made. It is based on the historical city of Dodge. The series is centered around the character of Matt Dillon, who is the U.S. Marshall at Dodge. Each episode is one of his adventures, usually with his fellow helper, Chester, in keeping the peace and bringing justice in the area. Dillon's independence, sense of justice, and keen problem solving ever epitomize the stereotypical old-west hero. No matter what situation arises in Dodge, or the surrounding area, Matt Dillon is able to resolve it most often without the help of anyone else except for his faithful follower Chester. Whenever Dillon hears of a problem, he immediately goes to see what the trouble is with Chester. He doesn't listen to anyone and only brings more people if it would go better with his plan. In the episode, "Tecetta", Dillon boldly asks three gunmen to give up their guns at a bar and then tells them to leave the next morning. He says it in such a way that is unquestionable and demanding of respect. And people listen! In the episode, "The Buffalo Hunter", when Dillon and Chester go searching for the villain, Gatloff, they run into one of his skinners whose been shot. Always the independent spirit, Dillon commands Chester to stay with the man saying, "I'll ride on by myself". Dillon's sense of justice is extremely refined. He always has a keen view on how to solve the problem at hand, and usually it is something that nobody else has thought of. Dillon makes claims such as, "I don't think someone would accidentally pour 50-60 lbs. of lead in their own face", to which Chester then replies, "Oh Mr. Dillon, I hadn't thought of that". When one of the new bar girls, Tacetta, is kidnapped by Dorgan, Dillon has a plan ready. He decides to take a group of 12 men rather than just himself and Chester so that they will intimidate Dorgan, who has been judged by Dillon as having a weaker character. Dillon also knows how to decide when to go after someone and when not to. In "The Buffalo Hunter" Dillon know that Gatloff killed his own worker, but, since he doesn't have proof, he waits until Gatloff does something else that will incriminate him. Similarly, when Dorgan is killed by Horn and Watson in "Tecetta", Dillon waits until Watson causes trouble as a drunkard to get the truth out of him.

Introduction of Support Group & Online Support Group

Support groups bring together people facing similar issues, whether that's illness, relationship problems or major life changes. Members of support groups often share experiences and advice. It can be helpful just getting to talk with other people who are in the same boat. While not everyone wants or needs support beyond that offered by family and friends, you may find it helpful to turn to others outside your immediate circle. A support group can help you cope better and feel less isolated as you make connections with others facing similar challenges.A support group shouldn't replace your standard medical care, but it can be a valuable resource to help you cope (Staff, 2013). Examples of support groups include those who have similar illnesses, diseases, or chronic conditions, such as cancers and addiction. Also support groups help people with relationship problems, such as divorce and adoption, as well as those with major life changes, such as the death of a partner or child, caring for an elderly parent, divorce, or job loss (Corey, 1997).Members of support groups typically share their own personal experiences and provide each other with helpful advice. It can be extremely therapeutic to actively communicate with others who face the same types of life challenges. Generally, support group members are not judgmental. Being negatively judged sometimes happens when an individual discusses their problems with close family members and friends. Additionally, a support group can help people feel much less isolated or alone as they make valuable â€Å"connections† with other â€Å"like-minded† people (Yalom, I.  1995).While a support group should never replace professional medical or psychiatric care, it can be a valuable resource to assist individuals in effectively coping with their problems. Support groups occur in a variety of different formats or settings, including in-person group discussions, telephone conversations, and online groups. Groups ar e often formed by non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, mental health clinics, hospitals, medical websites, and by a â€Å"lay† sufferer.Online support groups can help someone gain a sense of control or empowerment and reduce their levels of stress, depression, or anxiety by promoting open, honest sharing of personal feelings, mutual emotional support, comfort, â€Å"virtual† hugging, sharing of practical treatment information, coping strategies, personal experiences, and â€Å"success stories† by way of e-mails and Internet group discussion boards (Wessel, K, 1996). Since at least 1982, the internet has provided a new venue for support group (John Schappi, 2012).Discussing online self-help support groups as the precursor to e-therapy, Martha Ainsworth notes that â€Å"the enduring success of these groups has firmly established the potential of computer-mediated communication to enable discussion of sensitive personal issues. For example Email, Usenet and internet bulletin boards have become popular methods of communication for peer-to-peer self-help groups and facilitated support groups.Support groups have long offered companionship and information for people coping with diseases or disabilities, and online situational oriented groups have expanded to offer support for people facing various life circumstances, especially those involving personal and cultural relationships (Van Brunt, 2008). A convenient aspect of online support groups is the around the clock availability to its members. People can go online to blog or chat with others anytime of the day or night. There are no time constraints like there potentially would be with an in-person support group with scheduled meetings.Access to help is always available with online support groups. We've seen the development of both synchronous groups (where individuals exchange messages in real time) and asynchronous groups, where members not simultaneously online can read and exchange mes sages. In a study conducted by Gunther Eysenbach, John Powell, Marina Englesakis, Carlos Rizo, and Anita Stern (2004), the researchers found it difficult to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of online peer-to-peer support groups.In online support groups, people must have the desire to support and help each other, and many times participants go on the sites in order to get help themselves or are limited to a certain subgroup. An additional benefit to online support groups is that participation is asynchronous. This means that it is not necessary for all participants to be logged into the forum simultaneously in order to communicate.An experience or question can be posted and others can answer questions or comment on posts whenever they are logged in and have an appropriate response. This characteristic allows for participation and mass communication without having to worry about time constraints. Additionally, there are 24 hour chat rooms and spaces for focused conversation at al l times of the day or night (Uken, J, 1996). This allows users to get the support they need whenever they need it, while remaining anonymous and comfortable.

The Reliability and Validity of Measurements

Measurement error is easily identified using measures of reliability. In the abstract sense, reliability is described as a matter of whether a particular technique, used repeatedly towards a similar subject, would supply the same result for every measurement event. The measure of reliability is the measure of the random errors in a measurement. Consequently, the more reliable the measurement is, the less would be the random error in it (Rubin and Babbie, 2004, p. 182). Rubin and Babbie (2004) mentioned that reliability does not guarantee accuracy.For example, if two measurement apparatus are not synchronized or standardized to each other, they might still reflect the same measurement, but the other apparatus might have been adjusted to some extent in order to confirm with the result of the measurement of the other apparatus (). Validity on the other hand is defined as the extent to which an empirical measure satisfactorily represents the real meaning of the variable being measured. T here is actually no basis to determine the adequacy of the measure. Comparison and agreement to pre-existing terms or concepts is done to accept the validity or not (Rubin and Babbie, 2004, p.186).Reliability is not a qualification to conclude that the measurement done is valid. We may say that the measured values, especially in quantitative research, are precise, but not accurate. There are also cases that the resulting measurements are accurate to some level, but are imprecise. In the worst case would be that the measurements are imprecise and inaccurate. Because of this, a certain tension exists, whether to choose reliability over validity, or the other way around (Rubin and Babbie, 2004, p. 198).Of course, the target would be to collect both valid and reliable data, and this can be obtained by being strict to the implementation of the procedures for measurement: being thoughtful and less sloppy. The difference between the two is that reliability requires fewer variables, and the refore less validity, vice versa. This kind of relationship is still in conflict (Martin, 2005). We could say therefore, that a measurement is valid even if it is not a reliable measurement, since the way to prove the reliability is the repeatability and reproducibility of the results.Also, the requirement to strengthen the validity is to consider many relevant variables and to get near to the exact value, while on reliability, there is no requirement for such (Martin, 2005). References Martin, Rogel L. (2005). Reliability vs. Validity. Retrieved August 29, 2008, from http://www. businessweek. com/innovate/content/sep2005/id20050929_872877. htm Rubin, Allen and Earl R. Babbie. (2004). Research Methods for Social Work. Retrieved August 29, 2008, from http://books. google. com. ph/books? id=eAdbEn-yZbcC

Objects in English Grammar

Objects in English Grammar In English grammar, an object is a  noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun that is affected by the action of a verb. Objects give our language detail and texture by allowing the creation of complex sentences.  Prepositions also have objects. Types of Objects Objects can function three ways within a sentence. The first two are  easy to spot because they follow the verb: Direct objects  are the results of action. A subject does something, and the product is the object itself. For example, consider this sentence: Marie wrote a poem. In this case, the  noun poem follows the transitive verb wrote and completes the meaning of the sentence.Indirect objects  receive or respond to the outcome of an action. Consider this example: Marie sent me an email. The pronoun me  comes after the verb sent and before the noun email, which is the direct object in this sentence. The indirect object always goes before the direct object.Objects of a preposition  are nouns and pronouns in a phrase that modifies the meaning of a verb. For instance:  Marie lives in a dorm. In this sentence, the noun dorm follows the preposition in. Together, they form a prepositional phrase. Objects can function in active and passive voice. A noun that serves as a direct object in the active voice becomes the subject when the sentence is rewritten in the passive  voice. For example: Active: Bob purchased a new grill.Passive: A new grill was purchased by Bob. This characteristic, called passivization, is what makes objects unique. Not sure if a word is an object? Try converting it from active to passive voice; if you can, the word is an object. Direct Objects Direct objects identify what or who receives the action of a transitive verb in a clause or sentence.  When pronouns function as direct objects, they customarily take the form of the objective case (me, us, him, her, them, whom, and whomever). Consider the following sentences, taken from Charlottes Web, by E.B. White: She closed the  carton  carefully. First she kissed her  father, then she kissed her  mother. Then she opened the  lid  again, lifted the  pig  out, and held  it  against her  cheek. Theres only one subject in this passage, yet there are six direct objects (carton, father, mother, lid, pig, it), five nouns and a pronoun. Gerunds (verbs ending in ing that act as nouns) sometimes also serve as direct objects. For example: Jim enjoys gardening on the weekends.   My mother included reading and baking in her list of hobbies. Indirect Objects Nouns and pronouns also function as indirect objects. These objects are the beneficiaries or recipients of the action in a sentence. Indirect objects answer the questions to/for whom and to/for what.  For example: My aunt opened her purse and gave the man a quarter. It was his birthday so Mom had  baked Bob  a  chocolate cake. In the first example, the man is given a coin. The quarter is a direct object and it benefits the man, an indirect object. In the second example, the cake is the direct object and it benefits Bob, the indirect object. Prepositions and Verbs Objects that pair with prepositions function differently from direct and indirect objects, which follow verbs. These nouns and verbs reference a preposition and modify the action of the larger sentence. For example: Girls are playing basketball around a utility  pole  with a metal hoop bolted to  it. He sat in the basement of the building, among the boxes, reading a book on his break.   In the first example, the prepositional objects are pole and hoop. in the second example, the prepositional objects are basement, building, boxes, and break. Like direct objects, prepositional  objects receive the action of the subject in the sentences yet need a preposition for the sentence to make sense. Spotting prepositions is important because if you use the wrong one, it can confuse readers. Consider how odd the second sentence would sound if it began, He sat on the basement...   Transitive verbs also require an object for them to make sense. There are three kinds of transitive verbs. Monotransitive verbs have a direct object, whereas ditransitive verbs have a direct object and an indirect object. Complex-transitive verbs have a direct object and an object attribute. For example: Monotransitive: Bob bought a car. (The direct object is car.)Ditransitive: Bob gave me the keys to his new car. (The indirect object is me; the direct object is keys.)Complex-transitive: I heard  him shouting. (The direct object is him; the object attribute is shouting.) Intransitive verbs, on the other hand, do not need an object in order to complete their meaning. Sources Woods, Geraldine. Using Pronouns as Direct and Indirect Objects. Dummies.com. Staff editors. Pronoun Case. Cliffsnotes.com. Staff editors. Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns. University of Wisconsin-Madison.