An evaluation of the planning and delivering of nursing care Essay

An evaluation of the planning and delivering of nursing care - Essay Example Considering the case of the patient, this study will discuss the importance of health promotion / health prevention, the acute management of ischemic stroke, and other nursing consideration whilst living with or managing the long-term health condition of the patient. Health Promotion / Health Prevention Aspect Health promotion aims to educate the patients not only on how they can effectively prevent the onset of a disease but also ways on how they can improve their overall well-being (Leddy, 2006, p. 24). Considering the case of the 52-year old patient, this study will focus on discussing the health promotion or health prevention related to ischaemic stroke. Primary Prevention Ischaemic stroke happens in case the brain artery is blocked (Stroke Association, 2012). This causes the blood supply unable to circulate in the brain. According to Wills (2007, p. 16), the three levels of health prevention includes: the primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention. In line with this, primary prevention is all about implementing some strategies that could effectively reduce the risk of a disease. The risk factors of ischaemic stroke can be used to determine what specific health promotion should be advise to the patient. Ischaemic stroke can be triggered by several monogenic disorder (i.e. mutation in Notch 3 gene, etc.) (Hassan and Markus, 2000). Although genetic disorders that can lead to stroke can be hereditary by nature, most of the risk factors of stroke are highly modifiable. Since the modifiable risk factors associated with ischaemic stroke include: smoking, hypertension, diabetes, poor diet, atrial fibrillation, lack of exercise, and obesity among others (Ahmad and Lip, 2012; NHS, 2008; Sudlow, 2008; Goldstein et al., 2006), the nurses can provide a primary prevention by teaching the patient the importance of healthy eating (i.e. eat more fish, fruits and vegetables, leanmeat, whole grain, restriction on fat, sugar, and salt intake), include a 30-minutes of regular exercise each day or at least five (5) times each week, refrain from binge drinking and limit the intake of alcohol, and avoid or stop the use of tobacco (WHO, 2012; NHS, 2008). Through health teachings, the nurses can empower the patient through self-actualisation. After conducting a health teaching, the nurse can refer to patient to stop smoking clinics in case the patient is a smoker. In case the patient is at risk of stroke due to poor eating habits, the nurse can refer the patient to a professional nutritionist. Secondary Prevention The secondary prevention is all about shortening the incidence of stroke through early diagnosis and treatment (Wills, 2007, p. 16). Assuming that the patient has suffered from a mild stroke, the secondary prevention should include encouraging the patient to modify their lifestyle and receive early treatment. If the patient has a history of smoking, the nurse should educate and encourage the patient to stop smoking. Likewise, it is equally important for the nurse to encourage the patient to avoid alcohol consumption, watch his diet, and maintain his accepted body weight through regular exercise (Sudlow, 2008; Goldstein et al., 2006). On top of modifying the patient’s lifestyle, the nurse should encourage the patient to receive annual check-up and treatment for signs of risk factors related to the development of a vascular disease. Hyptertention is one of the common risk factors of ischemic

W8last-OD Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

W8last-OD Report - Essay Example If the top management has a proactive feel about the change avenues, it will always make sure that the organization is geared to achieve success on a consistent basis (Berkowitz 2003). These steps should be undertaken by the organization to make sure that the change regimes are in place and are being adopted by the different tiers within the realms of the organization. The performance regimes depend a great deal on the ways and means through which the organization is gauging the facts and figures and in light of the same, the different recommendations and conclusions are drawn up from time to time. In essence, it is always a good practice to have as much consistency within the efforts as possible as this will bring in a huge amount of success. Ethical discussions are pertinent because these embody the basis of its success in the long run from a holistic perspective. Moral values and justifications are important from an organizational standpoint as these are looked upon in a very positive way. These help the basis of building hierarchies within an organization and thus bank on the premise of bringing about a solid change, a change that is long-lasting and happens on a consistent basis (Streatfield 2001). An assessment for any organization will suggest that ethical considerations are significant and that these will tie up the employees with the rules and policies that the business concern teaches from time to time. In fact the human resources management concern has a huge role to play within the entire mix as it dictates the basis of success or failure as far as the ethical talks are related. Any organization would direly require the correct incorporation of ethics within its folds because this embodies its criteria for att aining success or the lack thereof, in the long run scheme of things (Robbins 2004). The organizational assessment gains quite a fair amount of share within the discourse that

Subsonic And Transonic Flight

Subsonic And Transonic Flight There are basically three speed ranges for the flight of aircrafts, namely; subsonic, transonic and supersonic. All the three speed ranges were taken taking the speed of sound in a medium as a reference point. In this analysis, more emphasis is given to the former two which are subsonic and transonic flight. Subsonic flight refers to flying the aircraft at speeds less than the speed of sound with no formation of shockwaves. This is the speed range where most of the commercial aircrafts operate. The ratio of the speed of the aircraft and the speed of the sound is known as the Mach number. In technical terms for subsonic flight, the aircraft is flying at mach numbers which are less than Mach 1.0 since the aircraft is travelling at relatively lower speeds than the speed of sound. There are no shockwaves for aircrafts flying at subsonic speeds. This is because the acoustical disturbances generated by the passage of a subsonic aircraft, and the sound waves suffer attenuation with distance from the aircraft due to spherical spreading (Crocker, 2007). On the other hand, transonic flight deals with flying at higher subsonic speeds ranging from Mach 0.7 to approximately equal to Mach 1.0 (Aircraft Research Association, 2012). In transonic flight an aircraft flies at speeds less than the speed of sound, but with the presence of shockwaves. This leave a question of how is it possible that shockwaves form at speeds less than the speed of sound? But the answer to this question is explained by the movement of air around the aircraft. Far upstream from the aircraft, the motion of air is in uniform manner, all at the same speed. As the air come in contact with the aircraft, some regions of the air speeds up especially the air moving above the wings, creating a differential airspeed around the aircraft. These accelerate the air molecules and they end up moving very fast. These regions move faster than the speed of sound at transonic speeds, and these regions at all times end in a formation of a shockwave. DESIGN FEATURES THAT DELAY TRANSONIC FLIGHT PROBLEMS Different aircrafts are built in different ways, so the transonic region for a particular aircraft will depend on its design characteristics. There are many design features that can be employed in aircrafts to delay the transonic wave drag. In this analysis more emphasis will be on the use of thin aerofoils, use of low aspect ratio wings and the use of swept back wings. THE USE OF THIN AEROFOILS For transonic flow the wave drag rise is roughly proportional to the square of the thickness-chord ratio (NASA, No Date). This implies that when thinner aerofoil sections are used, the flow speeds around an aerofoil will be less than those for the thicker aerofoils, due to the minimum curvature of their upper and lower cambers. This give a clear indication that even at higher free-stream mach numbers, flight is possible before a sonic point appears and before the drag divergence Mach number. The drag divergence Mach number is the Mach number at which the aerodynamic drag increases rapidly as the Mach number continues to increase. It can be concluded that thinner aerofoils delay the drag divergence Mach number to a greater value. Thin aerofoils have got some disadvantages associated with their use even though they are very useful in solving transonic flow problems. Firstly, in the subsonic range of speeds they tend to be inefficient in producing lift. Also, given that the wing is too thin, it can accommodate less structure such as the structural support and fuel tanks of which means for such structures as the fuel tank they have to be embedded maybe under the fuselage. Aircrafts with thinner aerofoils also face common landing accidents due to their landing speeds which are particularly high. THE USE OF LOW ASPECT RATIO WINGS The wings aspect ratio is another factor that control the critical Mach number and the transonic drag rise. Aspect ratio is the ratio of the wingspan to its mean chord length. When looking at the aircraft from above the aspect ratio refers to the measure of how long and slender the wing appears. It is linked to the wing plan form arrangement as opposed to its cross-sectional arrangement. In this case the wingspan is the straight line distance connecting the two wingtips. Strike (2008, pp.45) clearly stated that high aspect ratio wings have an advantage in that they form low trailing edge vortices and thus reduce the induced drag. He further explain that induced drag is inversely proportional to aspect ratio, which implies wings with high aspect ratio produces low induced drag and the ones with low aspect ratios creates high induced drag. The picture below shows the configuration of both low aspect ratio wings, moderate aspect ratio wings and high aspect ratio wings. NASA (No Date) claims that an aircraft with an aspect ratio less than about four will experience a considerable increase in the critical Mach number. This become useful at high transonic speeds as the drag divergence Mach number is delayed as the critical Mach number is increase which means an aircraft can fly at high speeds before shockwaves form. Low aspect ratio wings are used at transonic speeds as there are structurally strong since the distance from the wing tip to the fuselage is not that big allowing agile manoeuvrability at high speeds. Nevertheless, the main disadvantage with low aspect ratio wings is the difficulties they face at subsonic speeds because of the higher induced drag. THE USE OF SWEPT WINGS Wing sweep as one of the aircraft design features has an important role in delaying the transonic flight problems. Most importantly swept wings can delay and reduce the effects of compressibility. The idea of swept wings in supersonic flight was put forward by Adolf Busemann in 1935 (NASA, No Date), the idea which most of the best aerodynamists didnà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t agree with at first. In transonic flow, swept wings delay the formation of shock waves to a far much higher Mach number. This reduces the wave drag over all these mach numbers. Shockwaves depend on the span component that is 900 to the trailing edge, and this is a far much smaller component than actual airspeed in swept wings. Aircraft wings can be swept both forward and backwards. The disadvantage of forward sweep is its ability to lose stability and handling characteristics at low speeds. In backward sweep, the wing experiences early separation and stalling at the wing tip sections resulting in ailerons loosing roll control effectiveness. The figure below shows swept wings on a two-seat F-15E strike eagle. With swept wings, the major disadvantage is the span-wise flow along the wings and for sweepback the boundary layer will thicken towards the wing tips and towards the root for sweep-forward. This span-wise flow can be reduced in a number of ways. Firstly, stall fences can be used at wing tips. These are parallel plates to the axis of symmetry of the aircraft. Stall fences helps to prevent the build-up of a strong boundary layer over the ailerons, allowing effective functioning of the ailerons. Wing twist can also be another solution to the span-wise flow condition. EFFECTS OF ICE AND SNOW ON AIRCRAFTS The build-up of ice and snow on an aircraft can have catastrophic effects on the ground and in flight. This ice and snow can form on the parts of the aircraft during flight where the aircraft will be flying on very harsh weather conditions which can allow the freezing of water molecules at high altitudes since the temperatures are always very low. Ice can also form on an aircraft on the ground during taxing or when the aircraft is not in use and is not housed on a hangar. On cold and rainy day, rainwater can freeze on the upper surfaces of the wings and if not removed, this ice can have many different effects on the aircraft. In this section the effects of snow on the aircraft is going to be analysed fully. Ice is one of the foreign object debris which when left on the aircraft can pose a very critical threat to the aerodynamics and performance of an aircraft. It can also hinder the performance of the pilot who is controlling the aircraft. Considering the aerodynamics effects of ice, it can reshape the surfaces of the lift producing parts of the airplane thus the wings and the tail. This changes the aerodynamics of these parts completely such that more drag is produced and less lift. This increases fuel consumption. Wind tunnel and flight tests have been carried and it showed that frost, ice and snow on the upper surface of a wing can reduce lift by as much as 30% and increase drag by as much as 40% (CAA, 2000). The amount of the lift produced depends on the angle of attack thus the angle between the aerofoil chord line and the relative airflow. As the angle of attack is increased, the wing generates more and more lift until a certain angle where air cannot flow over the upper surface and the wing experiences aerodynamic stall. The point where stall commences has to do with the contour of the aerofoil. If the surface is contaminated with ice and snow it will be slightly rougher and this reduces the lift and alters the point at which stall takes place. Borrell (2009) claims that for scheduled air carriersà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ commercial passenger airlines inclusive icing has been a major factor in 9.5% of fatal air carrier accidents. During ground activities aircraft contamination with ice and snow lead to potential risks during takeoff and subsequent flight. These hazards are mostly sourced by the hindered flight controls or instruments and the deteriorated aerodynamic performance. If an aircraft has engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage, clear ice that has formed on the wings may become loose during flight due to flexing of the wings and may be ingested by the engines causing a possible engine blow or failure. In most cases engine failure is the result of icing within the engine fan blades or is because ice that has formed on the engine inlet has been ingested. Icing on the propeller blades can also cause a dangerous imbalance. It is vital therefore, that no aircraft should take-off before the pilot has ascertained that all the surfaces of an aircraft are ice/snow free. Ice can also cause an uncontrollable rolling and pitching motion on an aircraft and recovery might be impossible in cases where there is too much ice. These may lead to the airplane stalling at much higher speeds and lower angles of attack than normal. The other effect is that it can cause antennas to vibrate so severely that they break end up breaking. These can result in a communication barrier between the pilots on the aircraft with air traffic controllers on the ground or other pilots. These on its own has an upper hand of causing an aircraft crash. As ice forms on the windshield, the pilotà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s visibility may be lost leading to the pilot controlling the airplane on imagination which in most cases is a very dangerous threat. According to Brandon (2000), the weight of25mm of ice on a small general aviation aircraft would be about 30-40kg, which shows how much a little ice can have on the weight of the whole airplane, so there is no such thing as a little ice. SOLVING ICING PROBLEMS Aircraft icing problems can be overcome in a numerous ways which can be classified under the two sub topics of de-icing and anti-icing. De-icing are measures that are put in place to get rid of the ice that have already formed on the aircraft structure. This procedure of de-icing can be done with mechanical or pneumatic tools or with employment of warmed de-icing fluids. Mechanically, de-icer boots are fitted in sections along the leading edges of the wing, and horizontal and vertical stabilisers. The boots are made from natural rubber and fabrics made of rubbers between which are inflatable tubes closed at the ends. The tubes are then connected to the air supply. When in operation air is pushed in to the boots using the tubes hence increasing the pressure and as a result the bond between ice and the aircraft weakens and ice falls off. For de-icing using fluids, the liquid is applied along the centreline of the upper part of the fuselage, and then over the sides. The problem with allowing the aircraft structures to ice and then rely on de-icing is that some will be invisible to the human eye and sometimes left on the aircraft resulting in catastrophic effects during flight. On the other hand, anti-icing is a preventive way of not allowing the build-up of ice on the surfaces of the aircraft structures. Glycols act an important role in this operation because of their non volatile characteristics, non-toxic, non-corrosive and having low freezing points. Anti-icing is usually performed before takeoff as the liquid is usually effective for 10-20 minutes (RIA Novosti, 2013). Anti-icing systems on flight are usually turned on before approaching an icing zone. This systems are typically, carburettor heating, fuel vent heat, pitot heat and windshield heat. Anti-icing on the wings is done by spraying the fluid from the leading edges to the trailing edges of the wing. Anti-icing as a preventive measure is the method of the two since the user is assured of no ice formation on the aircraft hence minimum or no adverse effects of ice and snow build-up on aircraft structures. BIBLIOGRAPHY AOPA Air Safety Foundation (2008) Aircraft Icing. USA: Bruce Landsberg. Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (2000) Aircraft Icing Handbook. New Zealand: CAA. Crocker, J. M. (2007) Handbook of noise and Vibration control. Canada: John Wiley Sons. Fly Folker (2009) Ground Icing. The Netherlands: Folker Services. Kermode, A.C. (2006) Mechanics of Flight. 11th Edition. England: Pearson Education Limited. Perk, L., Ryerson, C.C. and Martel, C.J. (2002) Army Aircraft Icing. Hanover: U.S Army Engineer Research and Development Centre. Aircraft Research Association (2012) Experimental Aerodynamics. Available at: www.ara.co.uk/services/experimental-aerodynamics (Accessed: 02 February 2013). Brandon, J. (2009) Icing Conditions in Flight. Available at: http://www.pilotfriend.com/av-weather/meteo/thnder.htm (Accessed: 01 March 2013). Borrell, B. (2009) How Does Ice Cause an Airplane to Crash. Available at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ice-flight-3407 (Accessed: 01 March 2013). NASA (No Date) Introduction to the Aerodynamics of Flight. Available at: http://history.NASA.gov/SP-367/chapt5.htm (Accessed: 03 February 2013). RIA Novosti (2013) De-icing of Airplanes. Available at: http://www.en.rian.ru/infographics/20110114/162128519.html (Accessed: 12 March 2013).

The Future of Television and Technology :: Film Television Technology

With the development of digital technologies the future of television lies with Satellite or Cable Broadcasting. The era of Terrestrial Broadcasting is now over. In my life, I have only witnessed first hand, the effects of media and its development since about 1995, as this is the earliest I can remember. However, my huge interest in the subject has lead me to broaden my knowledge over the way media had developed in the 1980's and even earlier. I believe that what I have witnesses is in fact the most important time period in the media development timeline so far.

In my military life I have learned about aspects of other cultures Essay

A military career is not only a way to apply one’s potential toward the noble cause of defending people; for me it was also a chance to travel and to expand my knowledge of other cultures and nations. I have a twenty-year military career to look back upon. During this time I was three times deployed to Iraq, once to Bosnia, and visited Japan for six week field exercise. This, in my opinion, is an impressive record of dealing with other cultures due to diversity of these nations and their relative difference from the US. These cultures were indeed very different. One reason may be the fact that they are located at such a distance from each other and my homeland that it seems that during travels you are spanning a huge distance and land in another world. Indeed, the Southern European setting of Bosnia is very different from Iraqi deserts and the cluttered Japanese landscape. Most of all, however, I was impressed with differences in lifestyles, attitudes and different aspects of culture that I had to deal with. I realized quite often how individualistic our culture really is, with every person defending one’s own point of view, without fear that others may disagree. In Japan, for instance, I often saw that people are not willing to impose their individual ideas. Instead, they are more willing to draw on the ideas and perceptions of the group they belong to. In fact, they always seem to have this feeling of a group in the background that stands ready to support them, a quality that even made me envious of them at times. I think it is very useful for a person to see how people in different cultures perceive individualism, or â€Å"the importance of the individual as compared with collective goals and efforts† (Couto, Cabral 2004). At the same time, I found it frustrating at times how the Japanese tend to treat Westerners as outsiders. As one gets to know them more closely, one learns that their society, too, is composed of â€Å"many groups and sub-groups — and not always in perfect harmony and cooperation as it may look on the surface† (â€Å"Culture Schock 101†). One learns that there is often a division of ‘them† and â€Å"us† between the Japanese and the arrivals, so that one can spend a lot of time there without getting close to the natives. I think there is no reason to get frustrated about it just as there is little reason to be frustrated about people being different from us altogether. Acceptance helps good relations and can often overcome differences since ultimately it is not similarity, but mutual sympathy and liking that matters in human interaction. Quite a few times, I had misunderstandings with our Japanese counterparts, like, for instance, invitations to dinner that people in Japan do not really intend to make. I several times fell for these invitations only to find out later that they meant simply an invitation to good cooperation. It took me a while to realize that people make these invitations to promote the general air of harmony in relationships. I later found out how important harmony is to the Japanese and began to avoid actions that could disrupt it. When we were in Iraq, this was surely different from Japan, partly because of the political aspects, and partly because Arab culture and in particular Iraqi culture is so different. I think my first surprise was the food that proved to be something in my taste, so that I learned a couple of recipes and brought them back to the US. Then another thing that captured my eye was all the material culture they had, like ancient artefacts and modern things that are so elaborate, elegant and at the same time bright and eye-catching. Then one more thing that soon becomes obvious is the importance of religion to the Iraqi people who think in Islamic terms about their daily happenings so that their whole philosophy is inextricably linked to their religion and its doctrine. In the US it often feels as if people leave their faith behind the doors of the church when they leave the Sunday service, but in Iraq they are committed to thinking about faith on a daily basis. It is like a glass through which they see the world, thinking about it in terms of what Islam wants them to do. I think a great part of learning about other cultures and their peculiar traits is that you get a more complete picture of your own background, putting it in context. Things that seemed natural and obvious begin to look different because now you have a chance to assess them from a different viewpoint. I recently came upon the article that talks about US culture as promoting â€Å"the behavior of women like drunken, sexually aroused yobs as a way for them to â€Å"be one of the guys†, a way for them to be funny and â€Å"with it† and cool† (Faisal 2003). Without having been there, I would probably feel hurt by this description. Now, in contrast, knowing the way of life people live over there I can understand how our world might look to them. Indeed, it is often hard to bridge the gap between cultures, but with a bit of common sense a person can make it, once one realizes that many values are vastly different across the globe. As for Bosnia, I was pleased to find out that in this relatively poor area people are so hospitable and sociable. I think that Bosnia, too, has a collectivist culture, but it is one that is relatively easy for foreigners to penetrate. I enjoyed seeing the neighborhood networks that are so well-developed in their culture and how people get together in locales called kafane and kafici. I also had time to realize that it is not in fact a homogeneous culture but one that includes great diversity, including divisions between Muslims and Christians. I believe that my background allows me to realize many cultural issues that would otherwise have escaped my attention. Dealing with individuals coming from other cultures on a daily basis allows insights into deep-seated cultural values and assumptions. At the same time, presence in the country acquainted me with material aspects of other cultures. For someone new in the culture, even ordering dishes in a local cafe can be a problem since one does not know what to choose. However, as one gets hold on daily happenings, one is ready for realization of more complex things. Bibliography Couto, Joao Pedro, & Vieira, Jose Cabral. â€Å"National Culture and Research and Development Activities. † Multinational Business Review (Spring 2004). 26 Nov. 05 . â€Å"Culture Shock 101. Japanese Culture — A Primer For Newcomers. † 26 Nov. 05 . Faisal, Amr Al. Raunchy Sexy Things. 2003. 26 Nov. 05 .

Development Through the Lifespan Essay

In brief form explain why knowledge of human development over the lifespan is important for counsellors to be aware of. Learning about human growth and development signalled, to me, the importance of assessing and considering developmental goals when working with both children and adults. Life-span development theories provide a useful place to start when offering emotional support as a Counsellor. Understanding an individual’s previous stages of development and environment can give the Counselor and Client a common place from which to begin the counselling process. Essentially, the life-span development approach addresses the basic ‘nature vs nurture’ debate by allowing for both. Just as our physicals selves are determined by both genetics and lifestyle, so are our emotional selves. Considering cognitive, biological, and socio-emotional development throughout life will provide context, guideposts, and reasonable expectations for Counsellors. Knowledge of human development over a lifespan is important for counselors to be aware of because it allows them to identify natural stages and cycles that individuals will commonly go through in their lifetime. This can help counsellors to identify what is normal and what is abnormal. Being aware of these abnormalities/normalities could save the counsellor a great of time in the assessment and interview process, the formulation of treatment goals and could ultimately change the treatment plan. As a Professional Counsellor, I plan to consider life-span development to specialize in counselling a specific type of person with hopes of becoming well-versed, and therefore more helpful, in the types of experiences that group faces. Personality can be better understood if it is examined developmentally† (Santrock, 2006, p. 45). Give two short examples of how developmental knowledge would help a counsellor deal with two specific types of adult issues. A client comes to me for stress related symptoms and during the assessment I learn that he is 22, halfway through his first year of graduate school and the first time he’s away from his home town, 2,000 kilometers away. Since he falls within the norm, I may want to delve into some related issues to also be able to cross them off a list that I use to form my diagnosis and treatment plan. Had he not been in the 19-25 age range, my assessment goals would be different. If I were asked to counsel a group, I could employ a standard set of questionnaires for everyone to fill out. From there I could ascertain many important characteristics, feelings, longings which they all had in common. I could use the lifespan to formulate a generational perspective to better relate to where they are at in this part of their life cycle. Acquiring a rich amount information in a short period of time could be very valuable in guiding the group towards their goal with compassion and empathy. Development through the lifespan is a concept of how people develop throughout the lifetime. Typically, this involves a sequence of stages and describes important factors that are likely to influence development. BENEFITS: Criteria for mental health, with characteristics of unhealthy or disordered emotional functioning either explicitly or implicitly stated. This information is important in helping people set realistic treatment goals and in assessing progress. Information on how to promote healthy development and help people reduce symptoms and enhance their coping skills and satisfaction with their lives. A description of the role of the effective counselor and the desired relationship between client and counselor. Nearly all theories of counseling currently recognize the powerful impact of the therapeutic alliance and offer clinicians ways to collaborate effectively with their clients. A safe and healing environment and a caring, skilled, and trustworthy counselor are essential to successful treatment. Strategies and interventions that counselors can use to help people achieve their counseling goals. Examples include reflections of feeling, modification of cognitive distortions, and systematic desensitization. Information on treatment parameters such as duration and frequency of sessions; whether to use individual, group, or family treatment; and benefits of medication and other adjunct services. Delineation of those people who are most likely to benefit from this treatment approach. Adaptation throughout life depends on how each of us negotiates the internal and external factors that enhance or constrain our abilities to reach our full potentials. The essence of lifespan development is in how we build on our strengths to transcend these limitations over time. While a developmental perspective has been at the heart of psychotherapeutic practice since its early Freudian beginnings, the view of development as a process spanning from birth to death is relatively recent. According to Sugarman (2001), the emphasis on childhood during much of the 20th century reflected prevailing restrictive notions of what constituted â€Å"development†, as only changes that were â€Å"sequential, unidirectional, universal, irreversible, and end-state or goal-directed† were seen to count as development. Developmental theories have increasingly expanded beyond these confines, however, and since the 1980s it has been possible to talk of a whole life-span perspective (Baltes, Reese & Lipsitt, 1980) which shares certain underlying principles, formulated by Baltes (1987, cited in Sugarman, 2001) as the seven tenets of this orientation. These can be summarized as viewing development as a lifelong process which is multidimensional and multidirectional, shows plasticity, involves both gains and losses, is interactive, culturally and historically embedded, and the study of which is multidisciplinary. While such a view of development broadens the scope both for the researcher and the practitioner, it also entails that there is no one â€Å"correct† way of development, something that places particular demands on Counselling Psychologists. We need to be open-minded and able to embrace complex and contradictory notions of development on the one hand, and be improvement-orientated on the other, so changes are inevitably evaluated, i. e. measured against some ideal. While these challenges are met differently by different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy, Sugarman (2001, p. ) points out that there is overlap between different perspectives, as they describe â€Å"common themes if not of perfection, then at least of successful ageing†. Across different therapy models, the practitioner – like the life span researcher – is involved in â€Å"finding, co-constructing and interpreting the stories people create and use to describe and understand their lives† (Sugarman, 2003,p. 316). How the story is constructed is influenced by the practitioner’s orientation, but the goal is ultimately to help the client make their own choices. Evaluating some events as negative does not entail being concerned with eliminating negatives, as, for example in a â€Å"disease† model (Sugarman, 2001). In the life-span approach, negative events are rather viewed as necessary parts of life that provide the opportunity for growth (Sugarman, 2003). The move from development as something occurring only in childhood to a continuous process spanning from birth to death brings the subject of death itself to attention. If death is merely the endpoint of the life span and of development, it could easily be discarded as a subject of interest. However, even if we see death as nothing more than the end of life, as its destination, then it follows that the life course is a movement towards death and that death is in some sense present throughout life. One fundamental existential truth is that we must die. This certainty in life is also the most incomprehensible truth for us to come to terms with, as, in the philosopher Herbert Fingarette’s words (1996), â€Å"in our consciousness [we] will never know death firsthand† (p. ). Freud (1915, as cited in Fingarette, 1996, p. 150) wrote similarly: â€Å"At bottom, no one believes in his own death. Or, what comes to the same, in the Unconscious, each of us is convinced of his immortality. † This also suggests that we have a tendency to deny death, something that according to Yalom (1980, p. 59) occurs not only in the client but also in the therapist and, as he claims, â€Å"there is collective denial in the entire field of psychotherapy†. There may also be denial in the study of life-span development, as Sugarman (2001) makes scarce mention of death throughout her otherwise authoritative text on the subject. This seems odd considering that not only the structure of the life course is determined by our expectation of death but also the meanings we attach to life. In fact, as Fingarette explains, our conceptions of life and death can be seen as mutually influencing each other: â€Å"A mirror, too, is empty, without content, yet it reflects us back to ourselves in a reverse image. To try to contemplate the meaning of my death is in fact to reveal to myself the meaning of my life. † (p. 5) Death awareness thus sharpens our awareness of life, and making sense of death involves making sense of life, as, for example, through constructing our life story, an activity that requires a sense of authorship. For Yalom (1980, p. 31), who bases his thinking partly on Heidegger, â€Å"death is the condition that makes it possible for us to live life in an authentic fashion†. Death awareness is then worth facilitating in Counselling Psychology practice, as it helps clients re-evaluate life and make important changes towards a more fulfilled life. There is ample literature promoting a positive view of death, e. g. Kubler-Ross (1975) who describes death as â€Å"the final stage of growth† and â€Å"the key to the door of life† (p. 164). She believes that growth is the purpose of living and that we all have an inner source of love and strength which connects us with the eternal and that we live more fully when we are aware of this source. Stephen Levine (1986) takes this perspective further and encourages the reader to prepare to die by letting go of their sense of self, something that can be practised through meditation and through accepting and even welcoming pain. Both authors may be over-optimistic but they have something to teach all practitioners of psychotherapy and counselling about openness and compassion. Levine thinks that therapists can only give what they have got themselves and that how they deal with their own suffering determines the depth at which they are available to the client. A completely open relationship towards pain and death may only be possible for a fervent religious believer, but Yalom (1980) warns that faith may also act as a defence against death anxiety. According to Yalom, we cope with death anxiety by employing more or less healthy defences, and it is neither possible nor desirable for the therapist to completely eliminate death anxiety in the client, as some anxiety is necessary for life-enhancing death awareness. Instead it is the rapist’s task to facilitate a â€Å"sense of certainty and mastery† (p. 189) through enabling the client to create a coherent structure out of their life events. This would be in line with the above-mentioned goals formulated by Sugarman (2003) and indicates how death awareness can enhance life-span awareness and promote a more conscious narrative re-framing in Counselling Psychology practice. While death awareness and anxiety are relevant themes throughout life, they assume particular importance in mid-life. The term â€Å"mid-life crisis† was coined by Jaques (1965), who conducted a biographical study of over 300 major artists and found a marked increase in the death rate between the ages of 35 and 39 as well as a definite change in the quality and content of creative output. It has to be noted here that due to an increase in longevity, â€Å"mid-life† would now occur at a later stage, so a definition of this phase in terms of a specific age range must be viewed with caution on account of historical changes alone. Furthermore, rather than trying to determine an exact period at which mid-life occurs, researchers now tend to see it as an â€Å"ageless† phase, characterized more by themes and on texts (Biggs, 2003). However, Jaques† general observations regarding the differences between an artist’s early productions and those later in life may still be of interest today. Specifically, he notices a â€Å"hot-from-the-fire creativity† during the artist’s youth and more of a â€Å"sculpted creativity† as of the late thirties (Jaques, 1965, p. 503). To achieve the greater serenity of mature work, the artist is seen to undergo a â€Å"mid-life crisisâ€Å". Jaques regards this crisis as arising from depressive anxieties due to an awareness of one’s own inevitable death on entering the second half of life. Coming from a psychoanalytic perspective, he views youthful idealism as arising from the unconscious denial of human mortality and destructiveness (what Freud called the â€Å"death instinct†) and argues that â€Å"constructive resignation† (p. 505) to these inevitable truths at mid-life can lead to mature creativity. However, this requires the painful working-through of a depressive crisis. While Sugarman (2001) comments that only a minority of people actually experience a crisis of such proportions, Counselling Psychology clients are more likely to be among this minority. However, Kleinberg (1995, as cited in Biggs, 2003) has observed that many mid-life clients enter therapy to deal with â€Å"stagnation† rather than a crisis, although issues around ageing and finitude are also present. A more comprehensive approach to mid-life has been presented by Levinson et al. 1978), whose stage theory of the „seasons of a man’s life? has particularly illuminated the developmental tasks of the â€Å"mid-life transition† (p. 191), a term based on Jung’s description of the divide between the first and second halves of life, the â€Å"noon of life† (p. 33). According to Levinson – whose theory is restricted to men, although much could apply to women too – this is a time of disillusionment, as the current life structure and the self need to be modified and some fundamental polarities, i. . young/old, destruction/creation, masculine/feminine and attachment/separateness, need to be resolved in preparation for middle age. Similar to Jaques (1965), Le Vinson emphasises that the illusion of one’s immortality must be given up, a painful process that may, however, lead to greater maturity: â€Å"Slowly the omnipotent Young hero recedes, and in his place emerges a middle-aged man with more knowledge of his limitations as well as greater real power and authority† (p. 218).

A Grave Decision Essays - Drug Control Law, Drug Culture

A Grave Decision Essays - Drug Control Law, Drug Culture A Grave Decision A Grave Decision I come to you today not as a politician looking to say the right things or as an ex drug users looking to lecture you on the disastrous effects of drug use. But I do come to you today as a terribly concerned citizen of this great nation. As you are probably are aware of our government is pondering the idea and is leaning toward legalizing such illicit drugs as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. There are those in this nation on both sides of the spectrum in this great debate. Some believe that the government should not be able to control what we put in our bodies and others like myself believe that the legalization of street drugs could have irreversible repercussions. For over the last fifty years drug use and abuse has been a huge problem in our society. Countless amounts of taxpayers dollars have been spent to combat the ever increasing drug problem. These tax dollars have gone towards such aids as drug rehabilitation, drug education and drug awareness. Although not overwhelming to a certain degree our efforts have worked. In 1988 it was estimated that there were 11 million people classified as addicted illicit drug users, currently that statistic is approximately five percent lower. And for those people who say that that money was not well spent, well what I have to say to that is if those billions of dollars saved just one person from the evils of drugs then to me it was worth it. Now after fighting so hard to wipe out drugs are we willing to take a step backwards, concede to the pressures of other and legalize drugs? I think not! Many believe that legalizing drugs would have lead to benefits in our nation. One point, which they often bring up, is that it would lessen the rate of crime. They try to prove the fact that the legalization of drugs would deter future criminal acts such as robbery, murder and assaults. But the facts prove that most drug related are on the down in most American cities anyway, this is do to the fact that we are crunching down on pushers and dealers which goes back to the point of tax payers money and its benefits. These same people emphasize the contrasting aspects of prohibition. When the public realized that prohibition could not be enforced the law was repealed. From this, they try to infer the same of legalizing drugs. Saying that legalizing alcohol didnt increase alcoholism, so why legalizing drugs increase drug abuse and addiction? I wont argue that Ill just straight out disprove it! In fact the percent of the population that is alcoholics is almost twelve percent higher then it was at the time of prohibition. On that note I can only imagine what the increase of drug use would be if it were to be legalized and become readily available and easily accessed in stores to all of the population. Those who have taken a stand for the legalization of drugs must be in a drugged up haze themselves or in total denial of the horrendous effects of drug abuse. The reasons why drugs should not be legalized in my opinion are endless; I could sit here all day and talk about them. Legalizing drugs would increase their accessibility to not only current drug addicts, but it would increase accessibility to those who had never experienced drugs because of a variety of reasons such as the high prices or the fact of legal consequences. We as society would be feeding addicts, instead of trying to help them kick an addiction that will in the end lead to their eventual death. Is it not the job of the government to protect the people within its control? If this true, then why would they even consider doing such a grave action as legalizing drugs? Do are national leaders even know what they are considering doing? Do they realize what the society will be like when it is considered okay to go and have a joint or sniff a line of coke or do a hit of heroin in public? I just do not think the government and

Facilitating Workshops to Boost Your Income

Facilitating Workshops to Boost Your Income When we contemplate writing a book, we think about a novel full of mystery, intrigue and drama. But have you thought about writing a book that zeros in on your professional expertise, then packaging it with workshops to increase your monthly income? When I started a monthly workshop series four years ago, I decided to leverage decades of experience as a writer and writing coach to help beginning and professional writers. Use a Multi-Faceted Marketing Approach In facilitating workshops, you need a multi-level marketing approach to promote them. I rely on a simple, effective system that combines three marketing vehicles: 1) online newsletters (I use Constant Contact), 2) online partners, 3) public speaking. Each of these techniques serves as an important component in creating a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote my workshops. Online newsletters are a great marketing tool for workshop facilitators, but they’re only effective when paired with a database of qualified prospects (people who are interested in your subject matter). This is where having a multi-level approach comes in handy. Build your database Where Do Your Prospects Congregate? Over the years I’ve found MeetUp.com to be my best online partner to attract new workshop attendees. In fact, attendees actually find me Giving presentations to writing groups and libraries also promotes my workshops. I include a promotional offering geared specifically for my target audience – like hosting free coaching clinics. This approach builds my database (for the online newsletter) and relationships, since it’s a great way to meet writers on an individual basis to assess their goals and challenges.   I have several clients who use similar techniques. One client, Pat, is a retired nurse who’s written a book about the communication gap among doctors, nurses and caregivers for the chronically ill. As soon as her book published, Pat developed workshops centered on her knowledge and decades of service. She used her 24-chapter book to plan monthly workshops for two years in advance. The workshop reinforces the message of the book, and the book reinforces the workshops. In addition, Pat gives profiles and assessments to family members concerned about their aging parents, to discover what level of care they need. Facilitating these workshops helps Pat establish herself in the community as a local expert. Caregivers come to her for advice, and they trust her expertise because she can address everything from finding the best doctors to knowing when to sign up for Medicaid and Medicare. If you’re a writer who wants to earn more income, take advantage of your years of professional experience ### T.L. Champion is an award-winning writer and author of Earth-Shattering [Story] CLIMAXES †¦ for writers who want to go all the way (Amazon). As a writing coach, she helps writers one-on-one and facilitates the monthly â€Å"Write Here, Write Now† workshops, helping fiction and nonfiction writers (books and screenplays) achieve their dreams. She can be reached at TL@Champion-Studios.com.

A Analytical Review Of The Battle Of Hastings History Essay

A Analytical Review Of The Battle Of Hastings History Essay In October 14, 1066, the tragic Battle of Hastings took place. It was fought between the Norman Army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army of King Harold II. The battle took place at Senlac Hill, about 6 miles northwest of Hastings. Harold II was killed during the battle; historians predict or believe that he was shot through the eye by the barraging arrows fired from the Norman armies. The battle was the decisive Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. Although there was further English resistance after the Norman victory, the battle is seen as the point at which William gained control of England, becoming England’s first Norman ruler as King William I. The famous Bayeux Tapestry shows the events of the battle. Many battles later on were built on the site of the conflict, such as Battle Abbey in East Sussex. Belonging to the most authoritative family in England, Harold Godwisnon claimed the throne soon after Edward the Confessor died in January 1066. Some historians say that Edward had verbally promised the throne to his cousin William the Duke of Normandy, but decided just before his death to give it to Harold. While Edward the Confessor had a great English nephew who might have qualified as his heir, he was considered to be too young. William had been instituting policy in England for over 15 years, and by taking Harold’s crowning, he declared the start of a great battle. He planned to invade England and take over the throne. However, at that time, the Norman army was not strong enough, so nobles as far as Southern Italy were called to gather at Caen in Normandy. In order to convince them to aid him, he promised lands and titles to his followers and supporters and claimed that the voyage was secured by the Pope. William assembled an enormous fleet of about seven hundred ships, over twenty thousand men. This force waited at the port through summer, probably because of unfavorable weather conditions and more likely from f ear of a clash at sea with the large English fleet. The Norman ships finally sailed for England after the exhaustion of supplies forced Harold to dismiss his fleet and army, to add to that, many English ships were destroyed by a storm. On the day of September 28, 1066, William landed unobstructed at Pevensey. Harold, who had been waiting for Normans to start their invasion, rushed his armed forces to the north to attack an invading Norwegian Viking army led by King Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s brother. He completely shattered the invaders at the battle of Stamford Bridge, near York. Upon hearing that the Duke’s forces had landed, Harold hurried southward to meet the invaders. Harold’s brother, Earl Gyrth, recommended a delay in the attack, but Harold was determined to show his people that he could defend his kingdom against anyone who tries to invade it, hence demonstrating his power. He headed toward London on the morning of 12 October, gather ing all the forces he could on his way. He arrived at Senlac Hill on the night of 13 October.

How is Cannery Row like a tidepool Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How is Cannery Row like a tidepool - Essay Example When the tide comes in again, these creatures will scatter and forage for food elsewhere, but for the duration of the pool’s existence, they are close neighbors. John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row is a portrait of a place in a time, a collection of vignettes and subplots that gradually cohere into a rough narrative of local vagrants trying to do something nice for the local scientist. If it lacked even that fig leaf of a plot, though, it would still stand as a beautiful and moving evocation of Monterey, California in the early 1940s, when the Depression had declined elsewhere but that sweet wartime money had yet to wash up on Monterey’s shore. In this place, a motley collection of characters are thrown together, each of them making their way as best they can with what limited resources are available, living in a mutual web of dependence that lets them all continue to get by. Nobody in the story has a whole lot, but between them all, each person seems to manage to have just enough. Steinbeck’s moral stance on charity, kindness, and the necessity of doing right by one’s fellow man is firm enough that if you shelve one of his books next to one of Ayn Rand’s, they both explode. ... The wider world exists, but far away. Doc receives orders from distant cities and mails them out, Lee Chong hides out in San Francisco once in a while, the nearby town of New Monterey can be glimpsed here and there in the narrative, but for the most part the characters have no outside resources; in this tiny place called Monterey they are all in it together. The Monterey of the novel is a place where the tide went out a long time ago and has yet to come back in. The Great Depression has not yet ended for the characters, and even the relatively successful Lee Chong exists at the leading edge of a wave of unpaid debts that never quite breaks into bankruptcy. As the narration puts it, â€Å"maybe his wealth was entirely in unpaid bills.† Dora, who runs the local brothel called the Bear Flag, probably has the most pure liquid assets of anyone in the story, but she manages to retain surprisingly little of her substantial income, instead funneling it into the community via endless c harity. When the flu strikes Monterey in the middle of her busiest season on record, she and her girls become the nursing corps of the entire community, bringing soup and solace to the bedridden and ill all over town, including people who prefer to pretend her business doesn’t exist. The similarities between the community and the tidepool are many, but the central one is this: it is a very small ecosystem full of beings that did not ask to be clustered together like this. There is not a lot of anything to go around, and nobody can leave, at least not until the tide comes back in, and as observed, the tide has been out from Monterey for a long time. It is

''The Odyssey'' and ''The Iliad'' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

''The Odyssey'' and ''The Iliad'' - Essay Example It is a tale of a brave warrior Odysseus, King of Ithaca, who gets lost after winning the famous Trojan war of Troy. This war is of historical significance because the Greek soldiers entered Troy by hiding in a huge horse made up of wood and then took their enemies by surprise. The story encompasses twenty or more years that he spent away from his family which are filled with his encounters with people and various exotic elements of the nature including God of Sea, Goddess Calypso, Circe, King of God, Zeus, his daughter Athena and many more interesting characters. Homer starts the adventures of Odysseus with the Trojan war of Troy which starts as a revenge against the people of troy for kidnapping Paris who was a cousin of the wife of Odysseus. The ten years of the war which bring untold miseries and grief to people of Troy are equally devastating for the soldiers of Odysseus who are killed. The war is also significant because the warriors of Odysseus rape Cassandra, the priestess of the temple of Goddess Athena. This invoked the anger of the Goddess Athena who asked Poseidon, the God of Sea to avenge Cassandra’s rape by drowning the fleet of Odysseus. Meanwhile Zeus, father of Athena also gets angry at the fact that Odysseus and his soldiers had killed innocent people and unnecessarily went on pillaging the city of Troy. So he uses his divine powers so that Odysseus is not able to return to his kingdom but is waylaid by various elements which prevent his return to Ithaca. Homer has superbly interwoven the great epic with elements of nature and characters, both human and super human that play important roles to carry forward the story in the most amazing and interesting narration. Despite the intervention of the elements, Odysseus again escapes the death but becomes a prisoner of sea nymph Calypso who is much enamoured by him. After one year with Calypso, he is released at the bequest of Zeus, who is the King of Gods. Homer

Hum M3 Jak Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hum M3 Jak - Essay Example Values are determined by how someone estimates himself or herself – the level of one’s self-esteem and pleasure. According to Branden, moral values guide people towards the achievement of self-esteem and pleasure (Branden 32). Therefore, psychotherapists should emphasize on moral values to improve the self-esteem of their patients. Values relate to emotions because they are determined by how we think about ourselves, or judge ourselves. On the values scale, I scored medium importance in terms of power and achievement (4.2 and 4.7 out of 7 respectively). My score in terms of Hedonism, self-direction, universalism and benevolence was of high importance. This shows that I have above average value-judgment. In terms of cognitive empathy, I scored 23 out of 37, showing a moderate perspective taking. My score in terms of emotional empathy is 24 out of 37, indicating moderate emotional empathy. Lastly, the dispositional mood scale recorded a score of 4.0 out of 5. This indicates a high positive energy and affectivity as well as high

Stragetic Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Stragetic Plan - Essay Example The main services offered by the organization are the transportation services, leadership training programs, and health style training. The main strength of the organization is government exemptions of taxes and attracting funding. The weaknesses include high operational cost and financial crisis facing the world today. The external environment will also affect the organization because of the cultural diversity of clients. The best strategy for The Divine Life Ventures is to focus on clients because this will attract more clients and funding from all social circles of the society. The main objective of the company is to emancipate people who are blind or of low vision from the dependence on the society. The functional tactics of the company will involve renting the building where operations of the company will be carried out and buying buses on installments for the transportation services. ... The major risk to the organization is the bank debt and the competition it can face from similar firms. Introduction The name of my organization is The Divine Life Ventures. This is a nonprofit organization that provides services for physically disabled people. The focus of The Divine Life Ventures is on people who are blind or have impaired vision. The main focus of the organization is to make the disable people strong enough so that they can live independently. The Divine Life Ventures will be a place where minds will be emancipated and clients will feel a sense of independence. The Divine Life Ventures will provide initially a transportation service, leadership training and development program, and healthy living training. All these services will help them achieve success in their lives. In this report a comprehensive environmental scan will be presented with regards to The Divine Life Ventures. The mission of the organization and its background will be discussed. A detailed imple mentation plan and a risk management plan will also be given. Company Background The Divine Life Ventures is a nonprofit organization therefore it is vital that management personnel are selected that have an experience in this industry. It is also important to choose people who can attract funding from the well to do factions of the society. People will only give their money for a service if they think that money will be used for a good cause and if they trust the people they are giving money. Therefore board of governors of the organization will include many prominent names like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and movie stars. These people alongside with charity workers will be included in the board of governors. This board will elect a chief

Strategic role of information system in contemporary business Essay

Strategic role of information system in contemporary business - Essay Example It goes ahead to consider some marketing strategies that companies can adopt to gain competitive advantage over the other competing organizations, and how they can use information systems to achieve this. A practical look is given to how Microsoft has managed to beat competitors using information systems Strategic role of information system in contemporary business Introduction The knowledge of information systems and its applications in business is of important consideration for managers in the current business world owing to the increased use of technology ((Kotsoukis & Mitra, 2003, p.3). The staff in the organization as well as the other available human resource should have the basic knowledge necessary for the incorporation of these technologies, which is now a necessity, into their operations. There are several uses of information system in business organizations. They are used in organizing the business processes and its operations. It is also used to assist the organization du ring complex decision-making processes using the necessary application software. Information systems can also be used by the companies as strategies to compete and beat their competitors in the market. This can be achieved using information technology to advertise or market the products of a company. However, it is also important to consider that in as much as the use of such systems are of importance in businesses, there are associated challenges that it poses to the management of the organization, which may impede their adoption. Information systems in business- conceptual framework The use of information system is increasing in business and other organizations. Regardless of the type of organization considered, there are always many sets of data to be managed or manipulated (Kotsoukis & Mitra, 2003, p.3). The use of information system in business ranges from simple applications like the calculation of wages to the more complex techniques like the use of application of software th at can be used to aid operations or decision-making process of the organization. Its extensive use will enable the business organization to survive in a market with many competing firms. Michael Porter had suggested that there are five forces that influence the operations in a given business industry (Strategic Management, n.d). These forces are the supplier’s power, barrier to entry, threat of substitutes, the power of the buyer, and the degree of rivalry among the competing firms. The management should consider the possibility of other firms getting into the business as well as the reputation of existing alternative products. Every company then needs to have a competitive advantage over the rival firms. Identifying the power and opportunities that a form has for investment, as well as the needs of the customers is fundamental in ensuring organizational success. The firms should identify the competitors and strategize their operations to beat them. The use of information sys tem can help an organization to obtain this competitive advantage. How an organization keeps the data that pertains to its operations as well as its employees will determine the success in managing the organization. A proper and efficient means of data storage and retrieval will facilitate the achievement of an organization’s objective. Mutilated sources of data call for approximation or estimation that can result into wrong course of action being taken by the management. It can also lead to losses in the event that financial data like pay roll is poorly retrieved. Organizations will thus

Psychology in Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Psychology in Practice - Essay Example Others have mentioned the idea of similarity and relatedness, indicating that a person is more likely to help another based on a genetic appraisal of the situation and the desire to help those of his or her specific gene pool. Another prosocial idea is that persons behave according to the theory of reciprocal altruism, in which persons help others in the expectation of receiving something in return. Persons might also help others when faced with guilt or the need to repay a good deed that was previously done to them. This is known as guilt or reparative altruism (Wetering). On the other hand, situations exist in which persons might not be inclined to help. Situations of moralistic aggression may arise, in which people feel that others are taking advantage of their altruistic tendencies, and in such cases they might not be inclined to help. Such is often the case in larger cities where cheaters are apt to exist. Subtle cheating and mimicry abound, through which people might pretend to be in distress in order to elicit altruistic behaviour. Such situations are likely to cause moralistic aggression to arise in persons as a protective mechanism (Wetering). The social setting also determines the type of behaviour one can expect from a person. According to the Darley and Latanà © study done in 1968, a person is more likely to help another if he or she is the only available helper in the situation. This theory is akin to others concerning crowds. Areas that are crowded or busy tend to contain people who are less likely to help in a dire situation. This might be due to their being in a hurry or it might hinge on the idea that crowds or busier areas are more likely to contain opportunistic persons. In such cases patterns might also obtain so that despite such variables as cultural or societal norms, in a crowd, the bystander

Strategic role of information system in contemporary business Essay

Strategic role of information system in contemporary business - Essay Example It goes ahead to consider some marketing strategies that companies can adopt to gain competitive advantage over the other competing organizations, and how they can use information systems to achieve this. A practical look is given to how Microsoft has managed to beat competitors using information systems Strategic role of information system in contemporary business Introduction The knowledge of information systems and its applications in business is of important consideration for managers in the current business world owing to the increased use of technology ((Kotsoukis & Mitra, 2003, p.3). The staff in the organization as well as the other available human resource should have the basic knowledge necessary for the incorporation of these technologies, which is now a necessity, into their operations. There are several uses of information system in business organizations. They are used in organizing the business processes and its operations. It is also used to assist the organization du ring complex decision-making processes using the necessary application software. Information systems can also be used by the companies as strategies to compete and beat their competitors in the market. This can be achieved using information technology to advertise or market the products of a company. However, it is also important to consider that in as much as the use of such systems are of importance in businesses, there are associated challenges that it poses to the management of the organization, which may impede their adoption. Information systems in business- conceptual framework The use of information system is increasing in business and other organizations. Regardless of the type of organization considered, there are always many sets of data to be managed or manipulated (Kotsoukis & Mitra, 2003, p.3). The use of information system in business ranges from simple applications like the calculation of wages to the more complex techniques like the use of application of software th at can be used to aid operations or decision-making process of the organization. Its extensive use will enable the business organization to survive in a market with many competing firms. Michael Porter had suggested that there are five forces that influence the operations in a given business industry (Strategic Management, n.d). These forces are the supplier’s power, barrier to entry, threat of substitutes, the power of the buyer, and the degree of rivalry among the competing firms. The management should consider the possibility of other firms getting into the business as well as the reputation of existing alternative products. Every company then needs to have a competitive advantage over the rival firms. Identifying the power and opportunities that a form has for investment, as well as the needs of the customers is fundamental in ensuring organizational success. The firms should identify the competitors and strategize their operations to beat them. The use of information sys tem can help an organization to obtain this competitive advantage. How an organization keeps the data that pertains to its operations as well as its employees will determine the success in managing the organization. A proper and efficient means of data storage and retrieval will facilitate the achievement of an organization’s objective. Mutilated sources of data call for approximation or estimation that can result into wrong course of action being taken by the management. It can also lead to losses in the event that financial data like pay roll is poorly retrieved. Organizations will thus

Statue of Liberty Essay Example for Free

Statue of Liberty Essay I have always dreamt of a better life. Since the early childhood when my dad and I had been going to the city market to sell some fruit and to buy some rice for the money earned. I do not remember us eating meat, may some bones that contained thin skin. Meat was too expensive to afford. I was the only male child in the family so I had to work and bring some money into the family. My older sister was given to her husband’s family after she got married. We didn’t see her often. My mother didn’t love her much. Yet, my dad did a lot. So, every time he saw me, it seemed that he wanted to see her instead. And he became mad. I often felt his powerful feasts on my neck. But he was my parent, he gave me a birth and I respected him†¦ That was a sad-sad childhood. The thoughts of the past make me suffer much. Yet, it is those hardships that made me go on, to seek another better life, to seek this life overseas†¦. O, sweet America, sweet dream. I have always see it my dreams. I remember once waking up from the excitement that filled my soul and my heart when I saw the statue of Liberty. My dad was somehow educated a little. So, when me and my sister lived with us, he used to tell us about the country of dream – the US. He wanted very much my sister to be educated. He told that education was a way up. That’s what I remembered for the rest of my life. And I wanted my life to go up. That’s why I decided to go to the US†¦. The girls in China were not in respect. My family was considered misfortuned, since there were two of us, girls, in the family. My mom told me that my dad used to beat her after my sister was born. He dreamt of a son. It was understandable, since girls had to go after they got married. Thus, parents would have to be left by themselves, without any support. A boy in Chinese family meant a hope for a good old age. When the boy was born into a Chinese family, the latter was considered blessed. My family was considered misfortuned†¦ Yet, later on my dad got to love my older sister a lot. He tried to make her strong as a boy, despite old Chinese traditions of femininity and obedience. Thus, you can imagine how much my dad waited for a son when my mom got pregnant for a second time. And gain†¦failure. He was really mad. There was no hope he could love me sooner or later. That is how I became a real outcast in my family. My parents respected Confucian ideology a lot. Confucius professed that we, the children, had to respect and obey our parents. And we did. I do not remember any time I said something against my dad, even despite all that he made me do. I had to learn to earn money since my early childhood. I had to work as a boy. And I did†¦ However, despite harsh strict regime of traditional Chinese family, my dad was an educated person. He never stopped staying that Chinese civilization has very old roots and we had to be proud of that. And we, certainly, were. He told that it was Chinese who invented paper and many other useful things that the humanity used. His stories were exciting. And they were probably the only rare times when our family gathered together peacefully. Despite the fact that my dad was somewhat educated, we were a family of farmers. We grew rice and fruit and then sold them. We were never rich. We were like many other Chinese families. My dad always told that Chinese is the great nation. However, I couldn’t ever understand why such a great nation made girls, the ones who gave birth and contributed to the development of Chinese generation, suffer so much. I still cannot forget how my sister used to hide from my parents in order not to show them her great pain – she couldn’t really walk for some time. But my mom convinced that Chinese girls had to have very-very small feet. That was a sign of femininity. â€Å"Otherwise†, she used to say, » you will never get married†. But we really didn’t think about our future at that time. The only thing I personally thought of was how to ease that horrible pain†¦ But time passed and we grew. I have submitted with my fate that made me suffer both from my dad and from our old traditions. But I never complained. I knew that Chinese were a great nation. That is why everything that had to be done, even if it made me feel pain, was actually for my sake. I am very thankful my dad that he brought me up being strict and not always tolerant. He taught me to achieve everything myself. He taught me that I had to fight for myself and I did. Now I remember that horrible pain from my past and I think I can survive everything. Now I can walk easily and this is the real happiness. Moreover, I am happy because I am now in the country of my dreams – in the US. I am happy because my daughter will not have to suffer as I did. I am happy because millions of Chinese girls will be relieved from the humbleness and great pain that made them inferior to men, that made them die being alive. It is all over know. I still respect Confucius, but I am in another country now. I will learn the great wisdom of this ancient Chinese philosopher from the walls of American University. Oh, those Americans. They are so different. But that is so interesting to penetrate in the whole new culture that is so much not like yours. I was so surprised to know that here men and women are considered to be equal. That is such a great feeling. Yes, I will study Confucius from here and I will perceive all he said from the new perspective. I have so much ahead. I have so much to learn. This will be an exciting time I will never forget. We didn’t have centralized schools for a long time in China. Education was domestic. My parents couldn’t afford that. I did lack communication. But it’s over now. My daughter will not suffer. She would be happier than I was. But, I swear, she will not forget our Chinese culture, she will still respect Confucius’ teachings†¦.

Photography Essays History of Photography

Photography Essays History of Photography History of Photography When you look at a photograph from your favorite photographer what do you see? Does it remind you of your past or make you think of the future? What if there was a photographer that made you think of not only the past but also the future as well? Well that is exactly what Abelardo Morell did with his Camera Obscura photographs. Abelardo Morell took Camera Obscura out of the past and brought it into the future. This paper plans to discuss who Abelardo Morell is, the history of Camera Obscura, and also discuss and analyze three or more photographs by Abelardo himself. It will also discuss Abelardo’s career and how Camera Obscura falls into his career as well as any statements from him about the process. Also any writings or responses by art critics and/or philosophers about Abelardo Morell’s work will be included. This paper hopes to bring across to the reader an understanding of Abelardo Morell and Camera Obscura. â€Å"Abelardo Morell was born in Havana. As a child he felt a sense of alienation and isolation in Cuba, feelings that remained when he moved as a teenager with his family to New York City. Although he later studied comparative religion at Bowdoin College, he eventually took up photography as a way to express his feelings as an immigrant to the United States during the turbulent 1960s† (Yorba). Photography took his mind away from all of the busyness the world had. â€Å"After earning an MFA from Yale University in 1981, he began teaching at Massachusetts College of Art in 1983, where he still teaches today† (â€Å"Site Lines,† Abelardo). Many students are extremely luck to have a mentor such as Morell. He went far and beyond what any other teacher would do for their students. â€Å"When I began teaching photography at the Massachusetts College of Art in the mid 1980s, one of the strategies I used to get beginners excited about photography was to convert our cla ssroom into a camera obscura† (Morell). Camera Obscura might sound like a complicated technique but it really is very simple. One would be surprised how easily it can be done. Even though it can be done very easily and may seem like a new technique, the process has been around for many centuries. â€Å"In 1490, Leonardo da Vinci wrote the earliest surviving description of the camera obscura (dark chamber), a device designed to reproduce linear perspective. The camera obscura, the prototype of the photographic camera, was a large dark room that an artist physically entered. Light entered through a small hole in one of the walls and projected a distinct, but inverted, color image onto the opposite wall that could be then traced† (Hirsh). â€Å"The Camera Obscura seems little short of miraculous, even after the optical rationale has been explained. That one pinhole of light can carry all the visual information of a landscape into a darkened room is still, after many centuries, unknown to the great majority of humans and surprising when they learn of it† (Morell). To understand it better the camera obscura was a darkened room or chamber that allowed only a pinhole of light to enter into a light tight area through which is called an aperture. Diffraction is what allows camera obscura to work. Diffraction in this sense is the bending of light waves that enter the chamber or room and to appear on the wall opposite of the aperture. This image can be produced with exceptional quality if accomplished in the right way. When viewing the camera obscura while it is taking place, one will notice that the image presented on the wall is inverted due to diffraction. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have developed this technique for drawing but was not credited for it. Later on people began to use it more to render drawings to be perspectively correct. Artists at the same time had a hard time with perspective, so the camera obscura helped advance their skills in drawing with becoming perspectively correct. This device is important to the history of photography b ecause it was one of the first forms of photography and cameras. It showed that, at the same time, advances could be made in photography, something with the means of time and knowledge. The discovery of the â€Å"new† technique brought about a need and desire of photography to this day, especially for Abelardo Morell. When deciding to create a camera obscura there are a few things one should consider before jumping into the mind-boggling technique. The first thing you need to consider is the room that you will be photographing in. This room needs to have at least one window and one entry way. The second factor to consider is the time of day you will be photographing in. The time of day where the light is the brightest is the best time to pull off this magnificent method. Also, look at what is outside of the anticipating room. Is the landscape dull or is it astounding? Depending on how amazing you want your photograph to come out depends on the photographer and the landscape that will be captured.

Jewish Assimilation Essay -- essays research papers

Has assimilation been bad for Judaism? Samuel Heilman made it clear that materialistic gain has led to the fall of Jewish culture. Have Jews turned their religious lives solely to conform to the Catholic American society? Heilman gives the argument that since Jews have moved up the socio-economic ladder, they actually lost focus on what it means to be a Jew. One must first answer the question of what is being Jewish? Is it simply something inherited? Does it mean living ones life solely regarding what the Torah tells one to do? Is the answer much more complicated than following rules, which were built for a time that was completely different? The Jewish religion has lasted thousands of years, which were filled with intolerance and murder, why is Samuel Heilman blaming the free Jews of today for being different than their predecessors? One must look at events, which Jews have had to endure, to fully comprehend the nature of why they have changed so vastly. Jews came to the United States to escape persecution and gain economic security, why are their grandchildren complaining of the state of Judaism, 100 years later? Since the beginning of time Jews have endured anti-Semitic regimes, which killed Jews merely for being Jewish. A clear illustration would be the past 150 years, which later involved a mass migration of Jewish people, to the United States. Jews began Gergely 2 leaving Europe because laws did not allow them to have common freedoms, which we take for granted presently. Jews subsequently came to the United to escape persecution. Jews came from countries as different as Russia and Germany with two common bonds. Religion and having endured some form of persecution. Experiencing the pains of persecution, prepared Jews for any possible experience awaiting them in the United States. Most Jews arrived in Ellis Island without a penny in their pocket. Jews settled in a part of New York that was called The Lower East Side. Jews chose the Lower East Side, because it was the only place one could arrive and not have to immediately assimilate into American society. These Jews began their economic endeavors with the only profession they knew, commerce. Trade was their main form of economic gain, the only profession that was allowed in Europe. In America, Jews had to follow the American govt., instead of the Kahilla. Not being singled out meant that Jews had to pu... ...past. Jews have responded by living in the United States peacefully and together with people of other religions. Cultural assimilation does not mean the end of Judaism. It means Jews will now be able to spread their word of God, without prejudice. Presently, there are less restrictions on Judaic practice, than in the past. This will ultimately lead to the distribution of the Jewish practice; not it's demise Gergely 12 References American Council For Judaism: A Statement of Policy. Feb. 1944 Diner, Hasia R. A Time For Gathering: Striving for The Sacred. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore and London. 1992. Heilman, Samuel C. Portrait of American Jews:The Last Half of the 20th Century. University of Washington Press. Seattle and London. 1995. Howe, Irving. A Margin of Hope: In the Movement. Harcourt Brace Jovanich, Publishers. San Diego, New York, London. 1982 Prell, Ellen. Fighting to Become Americans: The Jewish American Princess. Beacon Press. Boston. 1999. Revel, Bernard. Builder of American Orthodoxy; The American Yeshiva. Publication Society of America. Philadelphia. 1972. Sachar, Howard M. A History Of The Jews In America. Vintage Books. NY. 1992.

The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke :: Cyprus

The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke As the last breath escaped her body and her lifeless gaze fell upon a bright sky, the battle for Cyprus raged on. The donkey, which, up until a moment ago, had been her seat of honor, snuffed at her rumpled hair and then lunged away from her body as the jarring sounds of approaching soldiers drew near. Umm Haram was dead. Umm Haram’s story began in 649 A.D., during the Arab raids for the Mediterranean Sea region in an effort to expand the Muslim empire. Arab Governor of Syria, Moawiya, launched a naval expedition against the Christian Byzantine people living in Cyprus. Under orders from Governor Moawiya and his military officers, Umm Haram was to accompany her husband on this military expedition. After the success of the campaign, they planned to settle and live in Cyprus to expand the Arabian empire. Cypriot legend holds that Umm Haram was an aunt or close friend of the prophet Mohammad. She had followed Mohammed in his Hegira (withdrawal) from Mecca to Medina in September of 622 A.D. Once during a short visit to Umm Haram’s home, Mohammed shared with her a vision from God that the Muslim believers would conquer the Mediterranean Sea region to spread their faith. He also promised her she would be among the first who would fight to conquer the islands. When the time came to join her husband onboard a battle ship bound for Cyprus, Umm Haram remembered the vision the prophet Mohammad had disclosed to her. She was eager to take part in this conquering expedition of Cyprus and to be included as part of a formidable navy. Under Moawaiya’s command, the Arab naval force attacked Cyprus with a massive fleet of 1700 ships. The Arab navy with its powerful ships successfully defeated the forces in Cyprus. Victorious, Umm Haram, with the other conquerors, came ashore and prepared a glorious celebration that included a victory parade, marching into the heart of Cyprus. Because of her assistance in the capture of Cyprus and her relationship to the prophet Mohammad, Umm Haram was given a position of honor and rode a donkey in the parade, while others walked. Unfortunately, as the victory parade progressed inland, the Arab forces were attacked by the Genoese, another marauding group of the Mediterranean region. As the Genoese proceeded with their attack, Umm Haram fell from the donkey she was riding. From the fall she sustained a broken neck and died on the spot from her injures. The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke :: Cyprus The Story of Hala Sultan Tekke As the last breath escaped her body and her lifeless gaze fell upon a bright sky, the battle for Cyprus raged on. The donkey, which, up until a moment ago, had been her seat of honor, snuffed at her rumpled hair and then lunged away from her body as the jarring sounds of approaching soldiers drew near. Umm Haram was dead. Umm Haram’s story began in 649 A.D., during the Arab raids for the Mediterranean Sea region in an effort to expand the Muslim empire. Arab Governor of Syria, Moawiya, launched a naval expedition against the Christian Byzantine people living in Cyprus. Under orders from Governor Moawiya and his military officers, Umm Haram was to accompany her husband on this military expedition. After the success of the campaign, they planned to settle and live in Cyprus to expand the Arabian empire. Cypriot legend holds that Umm Haram was an aunt or close friend of the prophet Mohammad. She had followed Mohammed in his Hegira (withdrawal) from Mecca to Medina in September of 622 A.D. Once during a short visit to Umm Haram’s home, Mohammed shared with her a vision from God that the Muslim believers would conquer the Mediterranean Sea region to spread their faith. He also promised her she would be among the first who would fight to conquer the islands. When the time came to join her husband onboard a battle ship bound for Cyprus, Umm Haram remembered the vision the prophet Mohammad had disclosed to her. She was eager to take part in this conquering expedition of Cyprus and to be included as part of a formidable navy. Under Moawaiya’s command, the Arab naval force attacked Cyprus with a massive fleet of 1700 ships. The Arab navy with its powerful ships successfully defeated the forces in Cyprus. Victorious, Umm Haram, with the other conquerors, came ashore and prepared a glorious celebration that included a victory parade, marching into the heart of Cyprus. Because of her assistance in the capture of Cyprus and her relationship to the prophet Mohammad, Umm Haram was given a position of honor and rode a donkey in the parade, while others walked. Unfortunately, as the victory parade progressed inland, the Arab forces were attacked by the Genoese, another marauding group of the Mediterranean region. As the Genoese proceeded with their attack, Umm Haram fell from the donkey she was riding. From the fall she sustained a broken neck and died on the spot from her injures.

Dogs Are Better House Pets Than Cats

Dogs are better pets than cats Yukako Taketani English 122 Instructor Chang March 17, 2013 Dogs are better house pets than cats In the world, there are only three types of people: dog lovers, cat lovers, and please-no-dogs-or-cats-around-me people. Between the dog and cat lovers, there is always a big debate on the subject which animal is more suited as house pets and has better companionship with humans. According to the article, â€Å"U. S Pet Ownership Statistics, there are 78. 2 million owned dogs in the United States, while approximately 86. 4 million owned cats (The Humane Society of the united states, 2011).From these facts, the society might be already on the cat side. A lot of people may complain that cats are better house pets than dogs because they are easy to take care of. However, in my opinion, a dog’s lifestyle and personality is better fitted for us to live with, and they are great companions. Dogs as security guards First of all, dogs can work as security gua rds. It is known as one of the earliest duties of domestic dogs. They protect the property of its owners, whether that property is land, livestock or his owner’s home (The Canine Information Library, 2011).When there is a sign of a dog picture and a word of â€Å"watch out† hanging on the neighbors fence, who does not take extra cautions when he or she walks cross the house? If I were a robber, I will not choose a household with a dog, since there is a high probability that the dog will bark every time I walk by. I own a Chihuahua mix dog, who only weights 10 pounds. She never attack or bite people or other dogs outside home. In fact, she is the kind of the dogs who always wags her tail to everybody, and shows her stomach, which is considered one of the submissive behaviors in canines.I am not expecting her to fend off or fight, if someone breaks into my house. However, she is a barker whenever she hears a faint sound around my house. On the other hand, cats can only m eow, which is a lot quieter and less intimidating than dogs bark. Moreover, they are indifferent to new people and often hide under the bed or table. There are many stories out there that dogs fended off, or protected their owners from robbers. However, I have never heard that cats scared away from someone tried to get in the house. From these facts, dogs are much better house pets compared to cats as security guards. For an active lifestyleIn addition, dogs promote an active lifestyle to their owners. While cats stay home and do their own things, dogs love to go outside. Dogs need exercise, but so do people. In these days, a lot of people are thought to be lack of exercise, and it is unhealthy both physically and mentally. However, having a dog as a pet will cancel out this problem. Jenna Stregowski, a registered veterinary technician, examines that dogs enjoy going on a walk, and we can make them a part of our own exercise routines (Stregowski, 2013). I agree with her. Some people , including me, cannot work out continuously because our laziness defeats us.For those people, having a dog will improve their lives, and the pets and the owners can be both happy. Some people are known to walk their cat on harness yet, cats do not enjoy the experience. Most of the times, it ends up with an undesirable result. Fetching balls and swimming are dogs’ favorite exercise. They also can go in cars, hiking, and camping. Even in unfamiliar places, dogs still can adapt themselves into new environments well. Conversely, cats require some time in order to accept and adjust to new things. As a veterinary technology student, I can give my own experience as an example that dogs are more adaptable animals than cats.When they are brought to a veterinary hospital, most of the dogs are still wagging their tail and happy. However, the cats are fear to death because of the unfamiliar environment and people, and they sit in a circle and in the very back in the carrier as much as p ossible. Of course, I have seen some friendly cats at the veterinary hospital yet, most of the cats do not well in new places like dogs can. Having a cat will not improve your life, but dogs can. More Trainable Another argument is that dogs are more trainable in our lives. There are many dogs that can do incredible tricks, and listen to their owners’ commons.People debate that some cats can be also trainable and do shake hands. They may also question why cats or dogs need to do tricks, such as shaking hands or rolling over, which are not useful for both humans and pets. However, since two completely different living beings spend time under the same roof, more trainable and obedient dogs are, of course, better for humans. One of the cat’s feature behavior is climbing. In the article, Pam Bennett, cat behavior expert, states that the more vertical areas available to your cat, the more it increases her territory (Bennett, 2013).They climb on the table, kitchen, computer, or basically anywhere they can, and it is not acceptable. Especially, when the kitchen is full of food and the stove and knives used, it is not only about sanitation, but also danger for both owners and the cat. Training cats on not climbing is difficult because it is their instincts. There are many undesirable cat behaviors that cats have but dogs do not, such as scratching furniture or carpets and playing in closets, where you keep expensive clothes. In spite of these, you do not need to concern about these problems with dogs.I am not saying that dogs are not naughty. They can also climb on the table, and chew your clothes. However, you can easily discipline them, because they have the pack behavior and social hierarchy system that you can take advantage of by playing yourself at the top (All Dogs GYM & INN, 2011). By shaking it by the scruff of the neck as a punishment, you can correct undesirable behavior and also teach your dog that you are dominant. With a cat, this way of pun ishing is not useful, or just makes her fear to you. They are more difficult than dogs. Conclusion Dogs are easier to live with.Whether small breeds or large breeds, they can alert and protect their owners’ houses and owners from strangers. Because dogs like outside activities and can easily adjust themselves in a new environment, People can take them anywhere and have a good work out together. Dogs have an undesirable behavior as well as cats yet, they are easy to discipline. Thinking about these facts, dogs are better pets than cats for us. Work Cited All Dogs GYM & INN (2011). Dogs’ social hierarchy & pack behavior. Retrieved on March 17, 2013 from http://www. alldogsgym. com/content/view/106/138/ Bennet, P (2013). Why your cat need to climb.Retrieved on March 17, 2013 from http://www. catbehaviorassociates. com/why-your-cat-needs-to-climb/ Stregowski, J (2013). 10 reasons dogs are better than cats. Retrieved on March 19, 2013 from http://dogs. about. com/od/funphot os/ss/Ten-Reasons-Dogs-Are-Better-Than-Cats_10. htm The Canine Information Library (2011). Guard dogs. Retrieved on March 17, 2013 from http://guarddogs. bulldoginformation. com/ The Humane Society of the United States (2011). U. S. pet ownership statistics. Retrieved on March 17, 2013 from http://www. humanesociety. org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics. html

Misunderstandings and Gender Differences Essay

In the movie â€Å"The Bachelor† released in theaters in 1999, Jimmy (Chris O’Donnell) makes his wedding proposal to Anne (Renee Zellweger) by saying â€Å"You win! † as he offers her an engagement ring. Anne muses with utmost disappointment and surprise. When she gets hold of her breath, she then accuses Jimmy of ruining everything – the hotel restaurant’s romantic ambience, the view, and the music. Jimmy argues that what he did was just to propose. For him, his statement was just a simple expression of his intention to marry Anne as he felt that he was compelled to do so. In Anne’s point of view however, Jimmy’s marriage proposal was offending – it is as if he was not really ready to be married. As a result, she walks out on him. Such conversation is a common example of the misunderstandings that stem from differences in gender. This is in line with what Deborah Tannen proposes in her book, â€Å"You Just Don’t Understand! †. According to Tannen, men and women have different conversational styles. Since people from different genders have different points of views and conversational styles, misunderstandings happen. Such claim is much agreeable and very noticeable in day to day conversations, not just in America, but also in other parts of the globe. In this paper, the researcher will affirm this argument of Tannen by citing supporting details such as the genderlect theory of Tannen, arguments between â€Å"rapport† and â€Å"report† talk, and their varying interpretations of interruptions in conversations. The researcher will also provide examples which can be readily observable in day to day interactions. In Tannen’s Genderlect theory, she notes that the two sexes have different styles of communication which is pretty much comparable to the interaction between two people coming from different cultures. To a certain extent, she has equated gender with culture. In her book, Tannen claims that â€Å"Boys and girls grow up in what are essentially different cultures, so talk between women and men is cross-cultural communication. † (Tannen, 1990, p. 18). Basically, she argues that men and women grow up in different worlds – where â€Å"worlds† here refer to psycholinguistic situations. For example, it can be noted that when girls are growing up, they tend to interact best through the establishment of friendships with other women. They pattern their communication styles through the intimacy that they get from their mothers and their best friends. Technically, they communicate well with people whom they can best identify with. A girl’s prime motivation to communicate is to form relationships and establish closeness and confidence. On the other hand, boys grow up and learn to socially communicate in groups where they are nurtured to become tough and strong – seemingly relieving themselves of intimacy and focusing their conversations on status maintenance. They play in groups where they can compete and boast. Boys are more inclined to initiate conversations with people they have just met in order to establish their sense of status and compete for diversity. Such gender differences in learning and growing up are best demonstrated in the toys and role plays that boys and girls adapt as they grow up. Most of the time, girls would like to play with dolls and play houses where they can assume the role of a mommy and then pretend that they are caring for their baby. They then establish intimacy by actually practicing it through role playing. As for most boys, they would rather play with toys – remote controlled cars or bicycles that they can use to race against each other, and/or engage in activities where they can show their superiority through physical built, strength, or skills i. e. basketball, baseball, etc. They establish their craving for supremacy through competition and rivalry and hierarchical roles within a group depending on the outcome of the contest. As such, by growing up in two different scenarios, boys and girls develop different cultures. Thus, gender interaction becomes a cross-cultural interaction. And, like any form of interaction between people across two different cultures, most men and women are finding it difficult to adapt to each others differences in order to enhance their sensitivity and improve communication and intimacy. As noted by Tannen, men see the world as a venue where â€Å"a hierarchical social order in which they are either one-up or one-down† exists. For them, there is always â€Å"a question of gaining the upper hand. † As for women, they see the world as â€Å"a network of connections† where the â€Å"conversations are negotiations for closeness and people try to seek and give confirmation and support, and to reach consensus† (Tannen, 1990, p. 25). Another factor that contributes to the emergence of misunderstandings between men and women is their differences in conversational styles – primarily the tendency of women to engage in â€Å"rapport talk† as men diverge into â€Å"report talk†. Basically, rapport talk refers to conversations that are designed to improve and build relationships. This type of conversations results to statements which are polite and friendly – even appeasing and pacifying. When women talk, it is more likely that they are asking for someone’s approval or more so, advice. On the other hand, the report talk refers to the communication style where the main intent of the person is just to deliver information and accomplish tasks at hand. Such type of statements demonstrates dominion and authority because they often sound like commands and orders. Tannen further explains that women use rapport talk as they often engage in â€Å"private speaking†. Such is best shown in what is dubbed as a ‘girl talk’ where women share stories so they can match experiences, explore similarities and differences, and create a special bond with each other. Only when two women have engaged in a serious ‘girl talk’ about their personal lives can they usually regard each other ‘friends’. As they share more about themselves through more rapport talks, they develop a â€Å"common world† (Tannen, 1990, p. 76-77). As for men, they use report talk for â€Å"public speaking†. Tannen notes that they favor public discourse and challenging arguments. In most cases, what they want to do is to get some attention and establish themselves as dominant by proving that they are right or knowledgeable (Tannen, 1990, p. 76-77). This characteristic of men can be observed in small talks between groups of males where their topics of discussion are often wide ranging – from simple mechanic tools to basketball players. As they swerve from one topic to another, a man shows dominance through his ability to carry on with the shifts and showing that he is well versed in a variety of subjects. Technically, because women find men’s report talks offending and men regard rapport talks as irrelevant; this gives rise to many situations where women and men in relationships grow apart. Misunderstanding happens because women would love to engage in intimate talks of relationship building which men neglect; and because men talk in ways that women mistakenly identify as intimidating and offending even when the opposite gender means good. Based on Tannen’s book, another factor that demonstrates how gender differences can cause misunderstandings is the fact that men and women differ in the way they interpret interruption. This is very important because as the author explains, â€Å"Interrupting carries a load of meta messages – that a partner doesn’t care enough, doesn’t listen, and isn’t interested. † (Tannen, 1990, p. 189) In most cases, Tannen argues that men will probably not welcome interruptions because they will equate it to a struggle for dominance. For them, an interruption would indicate that one is trying to lead the conversation and thus, overpowering them. For a woman however, interruptions are regarded as an ordinary part of a rapport talk. Women would welcome interruptions because it shows healthy participation and interaction which can contribute to the formation of an agreement. It also signals that the person might be listening to the conversation. In this regard, it may be important to note that silence would probably harbor a reverse effect on both sexes. In the case of men, they might regard silence as a sign of submission – where they are offered with the total independence that they need: free from instructions, requests, and nags. In the case of women however, silence may be equated to an act of disregard and disrespect. If a wife talks to his husband and his husband refuses to talk or respond to what she is saying, then she would probably imply that her husband takes no notice of her. Following this point of view on interruption and silence, it can be noted that perhaps misunderstandings happen because while men want silence, women demand for interaction. As claimed by Tannen, â€Å"Women and men feel interrupted by each other because of the differences in what they are trying to accomplish with talk† (Tannen, 1990, p. 215). When the growing and contrasting demands of each other finally meet, then divisions or gaps between men and women occur. In conclusion, one can note that misunderstandings among the two genders mostly occur because their directions, motives, and needs in conversations greatly vary. It seems that while men argue for competence, women struggle to maintain harmony. As women demand for interaction and intimacy, men reject them as they search for silence and independence. Thus, in order to establish connections between opposite genders, people should be more sensitive to the differences in communication preferences and styles and try to adapt and accept the existence of such differences. A thorough understanding of these differences can definitely propel effective communication techniques which can result to healthy relationships in the long run. Work Cited Tannen, Deborah. â€Å"You Just Don’t Understand. † William Morrow and Company, 1990