History of the Old Testament Essay

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken. I. Historical context of Isaiah 7:14-16 The historical setting is critical to the account since the prophet supplies it and the oracle draws on its timing. With a close study of the events referred to we may date the oracle in this chapter to 734 B. C. (Ross,Allen) It was when the ruthless Assyrian conqueror, on the throne is Tiglathpileser III, a ruthless and powerful king was terrorizing the all other nations, and Judah, unwilling to join in a coalition against him, was attacked by Israel and Syria, the ancient Aramaea , with its main city in Damascus, and Ephraim, the northern Israelite state, with its main city Samaria and therefore, King Ahaz when he heard of this coalition was thinking seriously of inviting Assyrian help(Tiglathpileser III). It must be pointed out that the whole purpose was to dissuade King Ahaz from embarking a wrong course of action, namely, that of relying upon Assyria rather than upon the Lord. In the name of Jehovah, it was this moment the prophet commences with a historical announcement. Isaiah 7:1 says It came to pass, in the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Aramaea, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, and could not make war against it. The Syrian king Rezin had come up against Jerusalem and with him was Pekah of Israel. Their purpose was to wage war, but unable to besiege it the prophecy of the chapter is amazingly accurate. The sign that a boy was about to be born is the pivotal point. Before he would be old enough to tell right from wrong, that is, about 12 years old, the enemies would not only be defeated but cease to exist. According to history, Shalmaneser V (the successor to Tiglathpileser) campaigned against the land and besieged Samaria. He died in the duration and was succeeded by Sargon II who completed the destruction of the northern state in 722 or 721 B. C. So the oracle in Isaiah 7 could be dated about twelve years before that destruction in 722 B. (Ross, Allen ) II. Literary Context of Isaiah 7:14-16 Therefore the Lord Himself give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. The word therefore signifies that something had taken place before the incident forwarded here in verse 14, and inasmuch as the wicked king in hypocritical fashion rejects the opportunity of asking for a sign, then he lost the privilege of asking a sign in his own favor. Instead the Lord Himself will give a sign, and this one of His own choosing, announcing the birth of a wondrous Child as the sign of deliverance, and making the infancy of that Child the measure of the time that Judah is yet to suffer affliction, before the time of deliverance will come. Yet as we have seen because of Ahaz’ unbelief after the comfortable promises made to him as a branch of the house of David, what took place was a terrible threatening against him, as a degenerate branch of that house; for though the God was patience and His loving kindness shall not be utterly taken away, for the sake of David and the covenant made with, yet his inequity shall be dealt with the rod, and his sin with stripes. In fulfillment of the prophecy, the Egyptians and the Assyrians filled the land in their war with each other. Devastation from this war severely tested the people, so that nothing grew in the fields, and the survivors had to rely on curds and honey. This led up to and included the invasion of 701 B. C. under Sennacherib, the next Assyrian king, when Hezekiah was on the throne in Jerusalem, and 200,000 people from Judah were carried off into captivity. As we shall see, the details of the Assyrian crisis are very accurately prophesied in these oracles (Ross, Allen_______& Young, E. J. 1993). III. Commentary on Isaiah 7:14-16 Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Since the King did not ask for a sign that the land shall be delivered from the enemies, Yahweh will furnish one unasked. Yahweh will not withhold it because a proud and contemptuous King refuses to seek it. The LORD himself, He will do it and not hindered though it is rejected and despised; he will do it because of its necessity – for the welfare of the nation, and for the confirmation of his religion, to furnish a demonstration to the people that he is the only true God. It is clearly implied here, that the emphasis is that the sign should be such as Yahweh alone could give. If this refers to the birth of a child, then it means that this was an event which could be known only to God, and which could be accomplished only by his agency. If it refers to the miraculous conception and birth of the Messiah, then it means that that was an event which none but God could accomplish. Shall give you, primarily refers to the house of David; the king and royal family of Judah. It was especially designed to assure the government that the kingdom would be safe. Doubtless, however, the word ‘you’ is designed to include the nation, or the people of the kingdom of Judah. It would be so public a sign, and so clear a demonstration, as to convince them that their city and land must be ultimately safe. A sign, a pledge; a token; an evidence of the fulfillment of what is predicted. The word does not, of necessity, denote a miracle, though it is often so applied; see the notes at Isaiah 7:11. But rather it means a proof, a demonstration, a certain indication that what he had said should come to its fulfillment. Behold this interjection serves to designate persons and things; places and actions. It is used in lively descriptions, and animated discourse; or when anything unusual was said, or occurred; it means, that an event was to occur which demanded the attention of the unbelieving King, and the regard of the people-an event which would be a full demonstration of what the prophet had said. A virgin, it is used in its obvious natural sense, to denote a young, unmarried female. The derivatives are applied to youth; to young men; to young women-to those who â€Å"are growing up,† and becoming youths. This virgin as used in his word properly means a girl, maiden, virgin, a young woman who is unmarried, and who is of marriageable age. And shall call his name, it was usual for â€Å"mothers† to give names to their children. The idea is, it is the â€Å"appropriate† name that would be given to the child. Although another name was also given to this child, expressing substantially the same thing, with a circumstantial difference. Immanuel a Hebrew name which means ‘God with us’ – the name is designed to denote that God would be with the nation as its protector, and the birth of this child would be a sign or pledge of it. The name, Immanuel, denotes nothing more than divine aid and protection. Others have supposed, however, that the name must denote the assumption of our nature by God in the person of the Messiah, that is, that God became man. The true interpretation is, that no argument to prove that can be derived from the use of the name; but when the fact of the incarnation has been demonstrated from other sources, the â€Å"name is appropriately expressive of that event. ( Barnes, 1997). Isaiah 7:15 He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. (NASV) Young( ), showed that the infancy of the promised Messiah is made the measure of the time that Judah will be in danger from her two enemies. This thought namely, namely the duration of a period of difficulty, is expressed symbolically in that Immanuel iws pictured as subsisting during His infancy on curds and honey, which was symbolical royal diet. From the time of His birth, supposedly, the Child will eat this peculiar food, and at the time when He can discern between good and evil, rejecting the one and choosing the other, He will be eating these things. At an early age a child learns to reject evil and to choose good, or at least to distinguish between the two. Thus, by means of this measure, we learn that the affliction or desolation of the two enemy kings is short-lived, possibly only two or three years. The reference may be to what is injurious or useful in life but in the light of the usage of this phrase in Genesis 2, it clearly refers also to what is morally good and evil. Isaiah 7:16 For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken. (NASV) The land that you dread, the land concerning which thou art so much â€Å"alarmed or distressed;† that is, the united land of Syria and Ephraim. Refers to one land, because they were united then in a firm alliance, so as to constitute, in fact, or for the purposes of invasion and conquest, one people or nation. The phrase, ‘which you dread,’ means properly, which thou loathes, the primary idea of the word – being to feel a nausea, or to throw up. It then means to fear, or to feel alarm; and this, probably, is the meaning here. Ahaz, however, evidently looked upon the nations of Syria and Samaria with disgust, as well as with alarm. The meaning of the â€Å"land† is that the kings themselves were the objects of dislike or dread; and not merely that the two kings should be removed, but that the land itself was threatened with desolation. This construction is an exegetical kind which agrees with the idiom of the Hebrew. (Barnes, 1993) IV Summary of Isaiah 7:14-16 As a summary of these three verses it was shown that in verse 14 Isaiah made a proclamation that the Lord will give a sign. This seeing of the virgin is not with with the physical eyes, Isaiah have not seen the Messiah in His physical birth, but in vision. In vision, then, the prophet beholds the virgin with child. An in the birth of this son, the presence of God is manifest in a most unique way. The fourteenth verse constitutes a sure and a definite fulfillment of the prophecy of the birth of Immanuel. With verse 15 the prophet proceeds to show that the infancy of the Messiah a symbolical representation of the fact that the threat which overhung Judah would be short-lived. This he does by picturing the child in vision eating royal food (according to commentator Young – which I prefer to use in this summary). The child will eat this food, symbol of threat and desolation; yet before He reaches the age where He knows the difference between good and evil, the two kings which Ahaz dreads will forsake the land of Israel, and there will be nothing more for him to fear from them. The prophetical naming of this child having thus had its accomplishment, no doubt this, which was further added concerning him, should have its accomplishment likewise, that Syria and Israel should be deprived of both their kings. One mercy from God encourages us to hope for another, if it engages us to prepare for another. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barnes’ Notes, Barnes and Nobles Commentary. Electronic Database. (Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft) Ross, Allen. â€Å"A Call for Faith and the Sign for Emmanuel†. Bible. Org < http://www. bible. org/page. php? page_id=2088> Young, E. J. â€Å"The Book of Isaiah: A Commentary†. (Michigan:William B. Eerdsman Publishing Company, 1993)

Professionalism in the Army

A soldier is measured by his ability to do his job successfully, tactfully, and professionally. Being a professional at everything you do will help you succeed in every aspect of your life. The definition of professionalism as by Merriam-Webster is the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional person. Being in the Ranger Regiment we are considered professionals. How we train, perform, and even hold ourselves to the Army Values and Ranger Creed make us the elite fighting force we are.In this essay I will talk about what professionalism is, what professionalism means to me as well as what it means to this unit, 75th Ranger Regiment. In any profession there are many attributes accompanied with professionalism. In the 75th Ranger Regiment, like all professional jobs, in order to be successful experience, communication, and moral ethics will make any individual succeed. Experience can help save time and effort. Learning from ones past mistakes and accomplishments can be very valuable in any work place.Being able to effectively communicate is key. As an intelligence professional knowing what to say and how to get into peoples minds can prove to help a great deal on the battle field. Ethics is knowing the difference between right and wrong from good from bad, this is what being a professional is. Every single person’s morals and values of life are different. To me professionalism means to lead by example, to try your best and give it your all no matter who is watching.As well as to put in the time and effort, to act on your best behavior and to get any task presented done giving one hundred percent. These are all traits of what professionalism means to me. No matter if your a private or a commander being a professional within this unit is the standard we all should live by. What Professionalism means to the 75th Ranger Regiment is simple. If you follow and uphold the Ranger Creed you will always be successful within this unit.Giving one hundred percent even when no one is watching. Being the best at ones job giving one hundred percent, these are all traits of a professional within this organization, and what the Ranger Creed stands by. In conclusion, being a profession will help you succeed in life. Leading by example, or giving it your all when no one is watching. This is what I believe professionalism means to me as well as this unit. These are the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional person.

Budget Variance Report for Hospital Department Assignment

Budget Variance Report for Hospital Department - Assignment Example The researcher of this assignment discusses the best practices, that are needed when setting and managing health hospital budgets. These basically, include but not limited to using comparative benchmarks, setting up to date, high performance department budgets, establishing a cultural perspective of accountability, managing expenses such as salaries and supplies amicably, uphold monitoring variances and having corrective action plan and employing a balanced scorecard. Like many health systems departments usually trail to accomplish its operation targets with this case at hand of variation of higher salaries and much more than supplies noted. For that month, ability to meet budgeted operating margin targets was not possible. As a result, supplies had subdued expected average monthly operating margin to support the hospital in running its department. To deduce that, the researcher of this assignment is to look at factors that resulted to the variance. During that time, the department s pent 80% more on items not budgeted for that month signified a 3.6% average budget variance. However, a critical look showed that 40% of the 80% dollar value totaled necessary expanses contributed to unexpected volume increase after the budget originally drawn. The researcher states that budget variance report needed to be created from general ledger system, revenue and expenses. Other factors considered in this assignment are actual results, budget variance, percent variance and along with budget.

Why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war Research Paper

Why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war - Research Paper Example It is estimated that over three million soldiers took part in the civil war, with two million fighting for the Union states and one million fighting for the Confederate states (Catton & McPherson, 2004). Around 600,000 of these soldiers died in combat, making it the deadliest war in American history (Catton & McPherson, 2004). One of the main reasons for the American civil war was that many people in the northern states felt that slavery was immoral and unnecessary, whilst those in the south wanted to keep their slave-owning plantation way of life. It is easy to understand why those in possession of slaves would want to keep their lifestyle and their cheap labor source, but why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war? Inequality Whilst it may seem ridiculous to some to support a system that does not benefit yourself, such as non-slave owners supporting slavery in the civil war, but there are many reasons why. One of the main reasons is that black people and white people were not seen as equal at the time. The general consensus of the time was that those of African descent were a slave race (Hansen, Gallagher & Jakes, 2010) and deserved to be treated as such. This is one of the reasons why inequality lasted for such a significant amount of time after the civil war; it was difficult for some people to accept equality. Despite many soldiers fighting for the Confederate states not owning slaves, it may be that these individuals wished to maintain the quality of life. In the case of those who were termed ‘poor whites’, it may have been that they enjoyed being part of a system in which they were superior to one set of people; the African slaves. The abolition of slavery meant that everyone was equal, but those with money still retained some superiority. Those who were part of the ‘poor white’ lost their superiority altogether and may have felt uncomfortable with this idea. The culture of slavery was deep-rooted in society at the time and many are often uncomfortable with changes to the social order, and this may have been an example of this phenomenon (Catton & McPherson, 2004). The abolition of slavery did require a significant change to the social system of the day, so the Confederate supporters were not wrong to be worried. However, in recent decades the status of African Americans is now seen as equal to that of whites in the United States, so it is evident that some time has shown that there was a reason to fight for this equality, despite the problems it may have caused the Confederate soldiers at the time. It is interesting to consider how those labelled ‘poor whites’ of the day reacted to the abolition of slavery, and how they were now seen as equal to black, whereas prior to this the colour of their skin still set them apart. This was probably one of the major reasons why non-slave owners fought in the civil war. State Pride Something that may be easier to understand for modern Americans is th e concept of state pride. As the ownership of slaves was so deeply ingrained into culture, some soldiers may have wanted to go to war to prevent themselves being under the legislation of the Union states who did not necessarily understand the way of life in the south (Hansen, Gallagher & Jakes, 2010). In many cases, soldiers would have been proud to be fighting for their state, despite their beliefs or their slave ownership status. Slavery was one of the main issues in the American civil war, but it was not the only one. Many people on both sides of the civil war believed in what is known as State Sovereignty, which essentially maintains the right of each individual state to control and create its own laws (Catton & McPherson, 2004). The Union was fighting to unite the states, both southern and northern, to create a more harmonious single

Conducting Situational Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Conducting Situational Analysis - Assignment Example It involves understanding the main competitors of the firm and has a detailed analysis on how innovative they are, factors that affect them, how their products are perceive relative to your own and finding the niche markets that are not served. Segmenting the market is useful when a company needs to serve its customers efficiently since it enables pooling of needs of customers and finding the best way to satisfy them. Market segments can be identified based on demographic, psychographic, behavioral or geographical factors. It will therefore be easy for a company to formulate and implement position strategies that will help sell the product to potential customers. Table of Contents Executive summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Background 4 Company products 4 Situation analysis 4 Strength 5 Weakness 5 Opportunity 6 Threats 7 Customers 7 Main competitors 8 Market segments 8 Position strategies for the market segments 9 Reference List 11 Background Richer Sounds was established in 1978 by Juli an Richer at a tender age of 19 years. Before this age, he begun the business at an age of 14 years where he specialized in buying and selling hi-fi separates music system. Under support of Vic Odden- a photographer retailer-made a start of a journey into the most successful retailer in UK. The retail received an award in 2002 being the best British-owned company that provides best working conditions for its workers. The company is operating at 52 stores in secondary high street locations in UK. Since its growth, the company has been able to invest in people schemes and in 2010, it received an award of the Best Retailer Award (Richer Sounds PLC, 2012). Within its operation, the company has kept providing value to its customers and requesting them to fill questionnaires regarding how best they have been served and performance quality of their products. The period 2009 to 2010, the company was able to realize a profit of 5 million pounds which was from a turnover of 160 million pounds . Company products Richer Sounds has become a national retail stores. The current demand in the market required Richer Sounds to provide most of the best latest flat-screen TVs, hi-fi, DVD and electrical appliances. Situation analysis Richer Sounds has placed much investment in product advertisement to reach its customers and increase its market share both in the existing market and its potential markets. The company has been able to make an analysis of its strength weakness, opportunities and strength to assess its position in the market and ability to serve its customers (Thompson and Martin, 2010). Strength Richer Sounds enjoys a long lasting characteristic of providing quality products and services as they keep the fun for their customers. Awarded as the best high street retailer, it remains to b the UK bets value hi-fi, home cinema and TV specialist. This makes them call their brands as the biggest with best prices. The company is organized in a way that it offers expert servic es to its customers. Its strength has been its brands of high quality hi-fi and electrical appliances which the customers have come to accept as best in satisfying their

How do international organisations shape relations among states today Essay

How do international organisations shape relations among states today - Essay Example These are just a few of the many regional arrangements currently proliferating across the globe. Accordingly, international organisations are increasing with global interdependence and this essay seeks to explain the effects of international agreements on states and decision-makers around the world. Through an exploration of states responses to key international organisations and their agreements, this essay will discuss state sovereignty in an increasingly interdependent global world and international agreements in practice through regional organisations such as the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Are international agreements a positive or negative force? How do they shape relations among states today? These questions will be answered as this essay concludes with a summation of the work studied. We now turn to an analysis of the question of state sovereignty in the 21st century. State sovereignty is a basic principle of the current international order and notions of sovereignty are intrinsic to the global system of international affairs. Despite the fact that ideas about state sovereignty shape the international system and are basic premises of the functions of global governance, this important concept is under threat from a variety of forces. Seeking to address the concept of state sovereignty in the twenty-first century, this essay will explore the abrogation of sovereignty as a direct result of globalisation and the increased salience of unilateral action by the dominant power in the international system. Firmly entrenched as a guiding principle in international affairs, basic concepts of state sovereignty are responsible for the current structure of the international order. How has sovereignty, a guiding principle of the international order been challenged in recent times? Do international agreements help or hinder

Diaspora Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Diaspora Assignment - Essay Example Croatian people have been dominant in many fields in the Australian society, especially in the sporting arena where they have made such a great impact by comprising the majority players in most Australian football clubs. This paper provides a critical analysis of the Croatian diaspora in Australia, development of media in the Croatian diaspora community in Australia, and examples of how media compares and contrasts to mainstream media on same key issues in the community, among other things. History of the Diaspora The concept of the diaspora grew out of the historic experience of scattering Jews outside their native lands and it implies that a whole community, usually a nation inhabiting a compact territory, underwent a forced dispersion. This concept was made popular in the sociology of migration in the 1990s and the relationship between the scattered communities and the homeland is crucial in defining the diaspora (Raggazi, 2009, p. 1). The homeland for immigrants is a source of id entity, in addition to being their source of values and loyalty; it can be generally understood that every diaspora is a migrant community because of the consciousness of belonging to a common nation and/or a distant homeland and acting upon this consciousness that eventually defines the diaspora. Diasporas are normally connotations of historically enduring strong emotional ties to the homeland, usually concerning some historical injustice that needs redress (Colic-Peisker, 2008, p. 158); the Croatian Diaspora in Australia was in response to the Yugoslav crisis of the 1980s and the war for independence and its aftermaths. The typical feeling of a lost homeland and tragic exile among the immigrants and the need to redress the historic grievances felt by a majority of the Croatian emigres led to the rise of diasporic transnationalism (Colic-Peisker, 2008, p.158). The emigres assumed leadership of Croatian communities outside Croatia and focused on the fight for Croatian independence f rom the communist Yugoslavia, and by 1991 when Croatian independence was confirmed by the failure of communism, Croatian emigres all over the world were known as an intensely politicized diaspora dominated by nationalist leaders. The most vocal part of the Croatian Diaspora in Australia had intensely emotional and political connection to the homeland, and its pronouncement of anti-communism and separationist agenda made it a clear-cut case of long-distance nationalism. The Croatian diasporic nationalism had two peaks: the 1970s after the Croatian Spring, Yugoslav Communist authorities had suppressed a Croatian nationalist movement in 1971, and during the war for Yugoslav succession in 1991–1995, which politically mobilised a large number of Croats in Australia. Development of Media Media development in the Croatian Diaspora in Australia has been stifled by lack of freedom of the press and the successive ongoing media manipulation that seeks to limit the influence of media bot h in the diaspora and in the homeland. In the old Yugoslavia, the Communist government controlled media and the Croatians knew only a limited range of information, and up to date, the Croatian media is not yet free and impartial. For instance, Karolina Vidovic, a Croatian journalist whose programme has been

Fairytale with Child Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fairytale with Child Psychology - Essay Example eriences, though mostly in a metaphorical way, so that they automatically develop the required psychological flexibility to cope up with ever changing nature of the entire socio-cultural system. The most important contribution of fairytales in the context of child psychology development is its universality of approach, which helps a child to expand the horizon of his/her imagination. The adult world that children are about to enter is full of surprises and different types of attractions that may appear interesting primarily but at the same time, those also can create psychological problems if a child is incapable of being adapted to those aspects. A fairytale familiarizes a child withy such unknown fathoms of life through known objects and experiences so that he/she feels free to encounter the world with in a easeful manner; consequently, can appreciate everything that suits the process of his/her psychological development and denounce all those aspects that appear to hinder such pro cess (Kready 28-29). Thesis Statement: Fairytales, within its broad scope, encompass continuous overlapping of experience and non-experienced, familiar and unfamiliar, usual and unusual, finally leading into the creation of such an ambiance which churns out the humane spontaneity and in the longer run, helps to contribute in the larger social context, â€Å"The essence of the fairy tale is natural life in a spiritual world, the usual child in the unusual environment, or the unusual in the natural environment. The combination of the usual and unusual is the chief charm †¦ where a natural child wanders through a changing environment that is unusual† (Kready 29). The literary tradition of human civilization is fertile with numerous pieces of fairytale literature, among which certain pieces are considered as classics. The Beauty and the Beast, by Jeanne Marie, Le Prince de Beaumont, is one such example that transcends the barriers of time, place, action and attained the position of one of

Recruitment, Selection and Deployment of Human Resources Case Study

Recruitment, Selection and Deployment of Human Resources - Case Study Example The company lacked proper human resource planning when it came to recruitment and selection criteria which led to the problems above. The lack of proper motivation, unclear job specification, and minimal advertisement has been major deficiencies in Sodexo’s human resources. Effective HR planning and management should have been exercised to take care of the shortage of employees beforehand which is one of the organizational models lacking in Sodexo. Organizational and HR strategies should have been in line in order to meet the HR demand and supply of employees. The only way to solve these problems in Sodexo is for the HR to come up with new planning strategies and adopt an organizational model that will address their problems. This will ensure that their recruitment and selection process is motivating, enforces comparable evaluation methods and considers cultural diversity. Individual motivation according to Herzberg’s theory is the main source of motivation for the recruits and will ensure the lasting solution to the problem of staffing facing Sodexo currently (Weihrich and Cannice, 2010).

Energy Drinks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Energy Drinks - Essay Example The intake of the energy drinks thus is seen to reduce the number of accidents that take place every year. More people are encouraged to use the drinks rather than taking drinks that are alcoholic. It is true to say that the intake of the energy drink has gone up in many parts of the world. The reason for this is that most people are welcoming the drinks intake more and more as compared to the intake of alcoholic beverages. We can, therefore, say that since the energy drinks are not alcoholic, they have become more and more popular in the reduction of accidents. The fact that the energy drinks are seen to be made of low-carb also gives them a major advantage in the market. This means that on the intake of the drink, the whole body is filed up and the brains function is boosted. The consumer, therefore, gains the ability to carry out tasks they couldn’t carry out in the normal states of their bodies. Non-carbohydrate diets are said to be ketogenic. The meaning of this is that t hy cause the body to go into a state of ketosis. When a human body is said to go into a ketosis state, it means that the body fats, as well as the dietary fats, are converted into ketone bodies thus fueling the whole of the body to ninety-five percent. The body becomes very active and the brain becomes very alert causing the person to become more active than they were before the intake of the drink. All the positive effects of the energy drinks result in more people going to the stores and purchasing the drinks.

The similarities in the feelings of males and females Essay Example for Free

The similarities in the feelings of males and females Essay The similarities in the feelings of males and females towards sexuality rest on the common external influences, especially socio-cultural factors (Greenberg, Bruess Conklin, 2007) that distinguish male and female sexuality. The common exposure to gender roles (Greenberg et al., 2007) creates a common feeling towards sexuality in terms of acceptance of their assigned roles when there is no strong alternative. Family expectations (Greenberg et al., 2007) also comprise a common influence on the feelings of males and females towards sexuality. The family structure, with close links to gender roles, operates to train males and females towards the appropriate attitudes and behavior for their respective genders. Males become breadwinners and females take on domestic responsibility. Ethnic norms (Greenberg et al., 2007) also determine the feelings of males and females towards sexuality in terms of adherence to their place and roles in the home and the wider community as part of their ethnic identity. Media influence (Greenberg et al., 2007) is a common influence on the attitudes of males and females towards sexuality expressed in socialization. The difference in the feelings of males and females towards sexuality depend on the internal factors, particularly biological and psychological factors (Greenberg et al., 2007). Both males and females experience similar exposure to socio-cultural factors but biological factors such as genetic chromosomes and sex hormones (Greenberg et al., 2007) account for differences in feelings toward sexuality. The predominance of testosterone in males accounts for greater tendencies towards aggression (Greenberg et al., 2007) relative to females. Biological developments also give rise to differences in physiological development that influence different drives and perspectives of sexuality. Concurrent psychological factors influence differences in emotions and mentality of males and females towards sexuality. The genders can bridge these differences by challenging socio-cultural factors that no longer or never reflected gender realities, exchanging feedback on their feelings towards sexuality, and negotiating change in perspectives. Reference Greenberg, J. S., Bruess, C. E., Conklin, S. C. (2007). Exploring the dimensions of human sexuality. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Experience

Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Experience Critically analyse and evaluate your experience of using a cognitive behavioural approach to work on a project of a personal challenge or change, integrating commentary on theory, research and practice. Introduction This work discusses in an analytical and evaluative way my experience of the use of a cognitive behavioural approach towards addressing the personal challenge of being extremely anxious when using personal computers. Firstly, a project summary provides an overview of the situation with references to relevant theory and research. Then the process of cognitive behavioural assessment is illustrated. Next is a discussion of the rationale of the planned interventions and an overall evaluation of the approach. Finally, the application of cognitive behavioural approaches in my work as a psychologist at an NHS psychology centre for adults is provided with some concluding remarks. Project summary My personal challenge is to control my anxiety and dread whenever I have to use a computer. I tend to think of myself as a generally relaxed person unless I have to use a computer, then I become anxious with clammy hands and feel my heart throbbing in my chest. Although I understand that the use of computers is world wide and that using the computer is essential at most workplaces I feel anxious and sometimes sheer panic if I have to use a computer therefore at most times I avoid using a computer. This problem is affecting negatively my work and it is embarrassing to feel computer anxiety in a world full of computers. Literature review Howard Smith (1986) defined computer anxiety as the fear felt towards interacting with a computer that is disproportionate to the actual threat presented by a computer. Tseng, Tiplady, Macleod Wright (1997) observed that approximately 30% 40% of the population is too anxious to use a computer. Recent research by Smith Caputi (2001) emphasises that there is a link between computer anxiety in undergraduate psychology students and debilitating thoughts suggesting further research is needed in order to develop more thorough cognitive models of anxiety. What is anxiety or stress? There is a growing body of knowledge about stress, which has been accumulating since Dr. Hans Selye (Szabo, 1985) who has spent most of his life in anxiety stress research first developed a theory of stress. Many other physicians and psychologists are conducting research on stress, contributing to our understanding and developing promising methods of stress management. The stress researchers are beginning to provide insights into how mind and body work together to produce psychosomatic illness and how this knowledge can be used for prevention. Definition of Stress the General Adaptation Syndrome (in relation to my computer anxiety) As a result of his stress research (Szabo, 1985), Selye developed a definition of stress suggesting that stress is the bodys non-specific response to any demand placed on it whether that demand is pleasant or not and this definition is relevant to my personal challenge of being stressed about using computers. This definition means that the body has a three-stage reaction to stress: (1) alarm, (2) resistance and (3) exhaustion. This three ­-stage response is the stress syndrome called the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). (1) In the alarm stage, the body recognises the stressor, which for me is the computer and prepares for fight or flight. My body achieves this state by sending messages from the hypothalamus section of the brain, which stimulates the pituitary gland to release its hormones, which then trigger the adrenal glands to pour out adrenaline. As a result, the rate of my breathing and my heartbeat are quickened, my blood sugar level is raised, my rate of perspiration is increased, my pupils become dilated, and the digestive processes are slowed down. These factors create a huge burst of energy, an increase in muscular strength, and a heightening of vision and hearing natural aids to fight or flight. (2) In the resistance stage, the body must remain alert, leading to the stage of exhaustion. (3) The exhaustion stage means much more than being physically and mentally tired out. When somebody is tired in body and mind, a little extra rest or a change of scene will often quickly restore the person to full vigour; then the person has not reached physiological depletion. When somebody is physiologically exhausted, the body has lost its ability to continue to resist the continuing stress. It has used up its supply of adaptive energy and its defence mechanisms, such as its immune response, are no longer functional. The body is now vulnerable to the stress diseases, including high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, migraine headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. The body may even give up during this stage and die. Most physical or emotional stressors do not last long and produce changes in somebody from being in the first and second stage. Usually people go through the first two stages frequently during the course of our lives, as part of our successful adaptation to the many demands of living. I tend to feel alarmed and pressurised to not use a computer being anxious about using the computer and sometimes I get headaches thinking that I should be using computers like everybody else. Positive Stress Versus Distress From what has been outlined above one might think that stress of any king is bad, but that is not the case. According to Selye (1974) there is a need to experience some stress all the time. Even when somebody is asleep our dreams produce stress. I have woken up from nightmares being in front of a huge computer unable to go back to sleep. Thinking about stressors (the computer) and situations I have experienced when my father tried to teach me how to use a computer made me realise that those were the first times I experienced stress to use a computer. This type of stressor is classified by Selye (Szabo, 1985) as damaging and liable to distress, while other stressors such as horse riding I find pleasurable. Situations then are subject to different interpretations. For example using computers is stressful for me, but a delight for others. A key idea that Selye (1974) presents is that what matters is not so much what happens to us, but the way we take it. Herein lays the key to stress ma nagement, which will be considered further later on. Selye (1974) calls the stress that we need for our survival and well-being positive stress. Examples of positive stress include those times when our bodies stress-response mechanisms stimulate us enough to produce a peak performance for an important job or to come through despite a bad cold or a lack of energy. At times, we have performed feats of strength in emergency situations even the seemingly impossible, like single handily moving a huge weight, such as getting a stalled car to the side of the road. Other examples of life situations generating positive stress are going on a first date, taking an examination, and when we are infants, learning to walk. We also get excited and enjoy watching our favourite team in a match. Pleasurable emotions produce positive feelings of exhilaration. For reasons not yet understood, these positive stresses energise us produce healthy relaxation. I would like to be able to feel positive stress and enjoy using computers instead of being distressed. A medium level of pressure and stress leads to peak performance. The performance curve (please see next page) shows that as tension and pressure increase, so our performance increases to a certain point. If pressure continues to increase to a level that is beyond our ability to cope then it soon becomes unhealthy and it can lead to exhaustion and breakdown. It is important to recognise that stress and pressure are different. Pressure is the demands that are placed upon an individual. Pressure itself is not a bad thing and can help to motivate individuals. Stress is the negative experience that results when individuals feel unable to meet the demands upon them. Performance anxiety curve The kind of stress that is bad for us and can be harmful is called distress. Distress results when the stress continues so that we need to keep adapting to it. If the distress continues long enough, it can result in exhaustion. Exhaustion usually affects only parts of the body, a runner in a marathon produces severe stress on her muscles and cardiovascular system which leads to the exhaustion stage, but after a good rest she is back to normal and looking forward to the next race (Malmo, 1959). Computer anxiety Having reviewed the types of stress and the stage responses to stress in terms of neurophysiologic responses, behaviours, thoughts and feelings I find Selye’s (1974) description of the negative stressors best describes my reaction towards using computers. Furthermore, Rosen and Weil claim that one third of college student population feel some anxiety towards using computers (DeLoughry, 1993). Although the literature suggests that I’m not the only one being anxious towards the use of computers I often feel anxious about it and this has a negative influence on how I feel about myself. Assessment What is CBT in relation to assessment and therapy of computer anxiety or stress? Cognitive behavioural assessment is a continuous process of evaluation and monitoring during the length of therapy. According to Kirk (1994) there is a clearly set process to follow aiming to reach agreement with the client about what is the target problem; then to obtain enough detailed information about what factors are responsible for the continuity of the problem and then a process of change with high client involvement. Often clients come for a CBT assessment without any prior knowledge and it is useful to illustrate the main aspects of CBT. Primarily cognitive behavioural therapy assumes that a person’s feelings and behaviour are influenced by his thinking therefore emotional problems are the outcome of debilitating, negative and unrealistic thinking and therapy starts by increasing the person’s awareness of their debilitating thoughts and changing them. CBT is a combination of cognitive therapy, behaviour therapy and learning in way that explains thoughts, feelings and behaviours as the outcome of learning. This learning can be changed so people can change their old learning and gain new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Social learning is one approach to learning that postulates people learn by observing what others (role models) do and say (Bandura, 1986). Social learning theory attributes my computer anxiety and stress to when my father was teaching me how to use a computer and he wasn’t patient with my progress. Taking into account that in social learning theory rewards reinforce behaviou r for me then the absence of rewards and the punishment received for not learning by my father to use the computer made me computer averse and anxious. Datttilio Padesky (1990) showed how CBT is a holistic approach because it considers thoughts, feelings, behaviour, social environment, personal history and physiology that influence my computer anxiety – stress. Further, Beck (1995) described CBT as a procedure of guided discovery where the client discovers methods and techniques that will help them to identify and address their debilitating thoughts. The guided discovery works by the client having certain ‘homework’ to complete between CBT sessions in order that he understands which of his thoughts are based on reality he experiments by behaving in different ways that test the reality of his thoughts and he can discover which thoughts are true based on experience instead of mere assumptions. While discovering true thoughts based on his experiential learning the client is encouraged to learn new skills and behave differently in order that his behaviour matches his true thoughts. The assessment of my computer anxiety and stress was done by a behavioural interview and a stress assessment questionnaire (see appendix 1) followed by self-monitoring information. According to Kirk’s (1989) cognitive behavioural assessment framework during the first stage of assessment in the interview the questions I was asked aimed to capture exactly what I feel, think and how I behave when I suffer from computer anxiety – stress. A list of typical situations in which I became anxious and stressed at various degrees was made (see appendix 2). Having discussed my problem then the onset of my anxiety and my stress towards using computers was investigated taking into account the first time I remember being anxious towards using the computer, how it continued and the predisposition to anxiety. My anxiety was measured as a general anxiety – stress concept on Selye’s (1974) classic questionnaire (see appendix 1). I said how my anxiety to use computers started since my father tried to teach me as a teenager with strict rules and impatience. Since then I always felt apprehensive, anxious and sometimes stressed out when having to use a computer especially of others are looking to see how I’m getting on. Aiming to gain enough detail about the content of a problem, cognitive behavioural assessment focuses on the interaction of four ways of responding to a situation: cognitive; emotional; behavioural and physiological (Kirk, 1989). I was asked to remember a recent situation that I felt anxious and/or stressed when having to use a computer and describe what I was thinking (cognitive), feeling (emotional), did or said (behavioural) and any changes on how my body felt. I remember how two days ago I was asked by my tutor to attend a computer class because he thinks if I get to practice using computers I will feel less anxious about them. I became stressed out when the whole class looked at me because my computer was making a loud noise tha t wouldn’t stop because I pressed something. I discovered that although I could remember what I felt (emotional) what I did (behavioural) and how sweaty my hands were (physiological) it was difficult to remember what I was thinking. Because of that my ‘homework’ was to start using a self-monitoring anxiety diary. Self-monitoring information is often used to enhance the effect of behavioural interviewing because it provides the opportunity to describe a problem (my computer anxiety) over time getting specific information about every time I experienced computer anxiety. That makes it also possible to see how often I have computer anxiety. I was asked to record the situation that provoked my anxiety, when it happened and my response using the four systems (thoughts; emotions; behaviour; physiology) as soon as possible after the event for a week. A 0-10 rating scale was also used to measure the intensity of my anxiety (see appendix 3). Beck (1995) describes homework as an essential part of cognitive behavioural therapy and as a way to emphasise its collaborative and self-help principles. This anxiety diary was useful in examining my problem with sufficient detail becoming able to point out what might be holding my problem in place using two ways: a cognitive ABC (Antecedent-Belief-Consequence) model and a behavioural ABC (Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence) model. Trower et al., (1988) illustrated the cognitive ABC model explaining behaviour in terms of processes that take place between an environmental stimulus and behaviour. According to this model something happens and then the client focuses his attention on it and this is called Antecedent (A). Then the interpretation of what happened occurs in the form of a belief (B) and a consequence (C) which may involve a behaviour and feeling(s) (see appendix 4). On appendix 3 a number of trigger situations are listed during the week of self-monitoring. The analysis of these situations using a cognitive ABC model identified a pattern of common thought processes linking the triggering event and my anxious-stressful consequence (see appendix 4). I also used the behavioural ABC model, based on operant conditioning (Skinner 1974 in Glassman, 2000) to examine why I repeatedly get computer anxiety (see appendix 5). Similarly to the cognitive model there is an antecedent (A) then the behaviour (B) response to the event and the consequence (C) is the outcome of the behaviour. The negative reinforcer I noticed is avoiding the use of computers when asked to use them which then follow negative self-talk about not being able to master the use of a computer. I found this model less useful because of its superficially descriptive nature it does not account for thoughts. Motivation to change Miller (1983) claims that a clients motivation to change is represented as a comparison between the advantages and the disadvantages of changing because both continuing and changing a behaviour is a choice having pros and cons. I’ve done that (see appendix 6). Then I considered Prochaska. DiClemente’s (1986) model of behavioural change where the client develops from an initial precontemplation stage (with no thoughts of change) to contemplation (where the client evaluates advantages and disadvantages of changing); to preparation (where planning and commitment occur) leading to taking action towards behavioural change. If the client takes action(s) to change their behaviour then they progress to maintenance (where efforts focus on long-term change). I discovered that I’m in the contemplation stage having done the comparison between the advantages and the disadvantages of eliminating my computer anxiety it is obvious that advantages are more than the disadvantages. Plan of interventions for eliminating computer anxiety I considered several possible solutions to eliminate my computer anxiety and have discussed with my doctor the possibility of taking medication to free myself from anxiety symptoms (e.g. palpitations) when thinking of computers and when addressing them. I will do: 1. Controlled breathing technique 2. Deep muscle relaxation 3. Set smart goals in order that I get one-to-one help with learning to use computers 4. Progressive relaxation 5. Self-monitoring Evaluation CBT is a very useful approach for dealing with stress because it offers clear methods to support clients by observing, analysing and learning coping skills to deal with anxiety. The use of medication to provide relief from anxiety symptoms can be combined with CBT in order to maximise the short-term outcome. Essential for CBT is the therapeutic relationship to have empathy, trust and respect so that the client does homework between sessions and feels empowered to help themselves. It is beyond the scope of this project to evaluate the therapeutic relationship. However, I certainly developed a self-help attitude and became more aware of my thought, behaviours, feelings and physiology during computer anxiety events having progressed through the Cycle for Change. I need to develop further my motivation in terms of smart goal setting with times, milestone, have a support network and reward myself for achieving milestones and the goal of eliminating computer anxiety. Conclusion Having implemented self-monitoring I discovered that by dominant behaviour is to avoid the use of computers but that does not eliminate my computer anxiety. This is a valuable insight also about the key role my thought processes have in suffering from computer anxiety. The plan to use relaxation techniques; design of smart goals and have one-to-one supportive advice when dealing with computers is what I’ll do in addition to self-monitoring in order to conquer my challenge of computer anxiety. This project provided me with more thorough understanding of CBT assessment and therapy which I will use in my life and at my clinical practice. References Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Beck, J. S. (1995). Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York: Guildford Press. Datttilio, F.M. Padesky, C. (1990). Cognitive Therapy With Couples. New York: Guilford Press. DeLoughry, T. J. (1993). Researchers Say ‘Technophobia May Afflict Millions of Students’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 28 April, 25-26. Howard, G. S. Smith, R. D. (1986). Computer Anxiety in Management: Myth or Reality? Communications of the ACM, 29, 611-615. Kirk J. (1989). Cognitive behavioural assessment. In Hawton, K. Salkovskis, P. M. Kirk, J. and Clarke, D. M. (1989) editors. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychiatric Problems. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 13-51. Kirk J. (1994). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychiatric Problems. Oxford: Oxford medical publications. Malmo, R. B. (1959). Activation: a Neurophysiological Dimension. Psychological Review, 66, 367-386. Miller, W. R. (1983). Motivational Interviewing with Problem Drinkers. Behavioural Psychotherapy, 11, 147-172. Prochaska, J. O. DiClemente, C. C. (1986). Towards a comprehensive model of change. In Miller, W. R. Rollnick, S. Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change. New York: Guilford Press. Selye, H. (1974). The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill. Skinner, B. F. (1974). About Behaviourism. London: Cape. In Glassman, (2000) Approaches to Psychology. London: Open University Press, 25-47. Smith, B. Caputi, P. (2001). Behaviour and Information Technology, 20,Number 4, 1 July, 9, 265-273. Szabo, S. (1985). The Creative and Productive Life of Hans Selye: a Review of his Major Scientific Discoveries, Experientia, 41, 564–567. Tseng, H. M., Macleod, H. A. Wright, P. (1997). Computer Anxiety and Computerised Versus Paper and Pencil Assessment of Induced Mood Change. Computers and Human Behaviour 13, 305-316. Appendices Contents Appendix 1: Danger Signs and Symptoms of Stress, Selye (1974) Appendix 2: Typical situations that I’m anxious – stressed when using a computer Appendix 3: Anxiety diary Appendix 4: Cognitive ABC model Appendix 5: Behavioural ABC model Appendix 6: Motivational change – advantages disadvantages Appendix 1: Danger Signs and Symptoms of Stress, Selye (1974) The following checklists are not precise enough to provide an accurate assessment of you but they can be a beginning point for reflection. If you have more than two of these physical signs, you may be placing your body under high risk from excessive stress. More than four of the following mental symptoms (or a total of four physical and mental symptoms) also indicate that you are a high-risk candidate from excessive stress. Summary scores Appendix 2: Typical situations that I’m anxious – stressed when using a computer When I: Try to navigate through different programs Have to do something (I don’t know what) because the computer crashes Try to use the keyboard Place the cursor on a program icon to open it Should write an essay on Word Have to use the computer in front of others Attend a class to learn to use the computer Appendix 3: Anxiety diary Appendix 4: Cognitive ABC model Appendix 5: Behavioural ABC model Appendix 6: Motivational change – advantages disadva

The Borat Rodeo Scene Analysis Film Studies Essay

The Borat Rodeo Scene Analysis Film Studies Essay The movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. is a Mockumentary about a Kazakhstan state television reporter named Borat brings his broken English and chauvinism to America to make a documentary about life in the U.S. of A. Upbeat and naive, Borat and his producer Azamat come to America to find out what makes America great. What he finds is a hodgepodge of gracious, bewildered, angry, and racist people. The movie gives us a unique view of an outsider looking in on our society. Borats journey starts out in New York as he interviews various people for his state television station and becomes a quest across the country to be with his true love Pamela Anderson in California. As he crosses across the country Borats travels are filled with hilarious interviews and crazy antics. For my paper, I am going to examine a specific scene in the film in which Borat makes a stop in Salem, Virginia for a rodeo during his quest to be with Pamela Anderson in California. I think this scene is definitely one of the funniest and politically incorrect scenes in the movie. The scene begins as the camera pans over a crowd full of people who seem to be conservative WASPSs getting ready to see the rodeo. Borat, as he wears an American flag cowboy outfit, is conversing with Bobby Rowe, the general manager of the Imperial Rodeo. Rowe is telling Borat that he looks like a terrorist Muslim and that he should shave his mustache so that he will look like an Italian and not be so conspicuo us. He tells Borat that he will never be accepted looking like a Muslim because everyone will look at him and wonder what kind of bomb he has strapped to him. Rowe continues to display his hatred of the Middle East saying he cannot wait until the US wins the war and have all those damn son of the butts hangin from the gallows and not until then will the American people accept Borats diversity. Rowe then begins to talk about gays and tells Borat to stay away from them; Borat explains to Rowe that they hang gays is his country and Rowe replies thats what we are trying to get done here and then he gives Borat a high five. After his talk with Rowe, Borat is asked to sing the National Anthem to start off the rodeo. When he gets to the middle of the arena, he begins speaking to the crowd regarding the war on terror. He began by saying, My name is Borat, I come from Kazakhstan. Can I say firstà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ we support your war of terror! The crowd cheers and applauds Borat as he praises A merican patriotism, he then goes on to say, May George Bush drink the blood of every man, woman, and child in Iraq! At this point, the crowd erupts in agreement. After his speech, Borat quickly tells the audience he is going to sing the Kazakhstan National Anthem to the tune of Americas national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. At first, the crowd is reverently waiting to hear him sing, but as he begins to sing the Kazakhstan National Anthem the crowd begins to get in an uproar of disapproval. Because of the random lyrics in the song, the crowd did not know whether Borat was serious or joking by singing a song that was so degrading to the United States in their own country. The crowd was so shocked when they heard the lyrics, Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world!, that a horse carrying a cowgirl with an American flag fell down as the arena exploded in boos. This scene contained many principles that made it humorous. To begin, the main purpose of this movie was to make fun the arrogance of our nation and prove that while America thinks it is the best country in the world, we are still fallible. Disparaging humor was the probably one of the most prevalent types of humor used throughout the movie and especially in this scene. Ferguson and Ford describe disparaging humor as remarks that are intended to elicit amusement through the denigration, derogation, or belittlement of a given audience (2008). What made this scene so funny was to see how racist and ignorant Bobby Rowe was as Borat roused him on during their conversation. The fact that someone would say that we should hang all the gays, or that we want to kill all the people in Iraq is so outrageous that it is very funny to laugh at and see how ignorant some people actually are. This humor is successful because, Rowe had the audacity to clearly belittle Borat, the people of Kazakhstan, and the rest of the Middle East while he knew he was being filmed because it gave him a sense of superiority. Critchley supports this point as he states that, we laugh from feelings of superiority over other people (2002). The crowd of spectators in the rodeo arena also displayed disparaging humor when the crowd begins to cheer as Borat talks about killing all the people in Iraq including women and children and drinking their blood. Under the psychoanalytic theory, Ferguson and Ford article explain that It provides the humorist with a relatively benign means of expressing and satisfying unconscious, socially unacceptable impulses(2008). Borat was able to egg on the crowd and Rowe to say and applaud views that are a racist and unacceptable to our society. In addition, the Incongruity Theory of humor was also used throughout the scene. Critchley explains, Humor is produced by the experience of a felt incongruity between what we know or expect to be the case, and what actually happens in the joke, gag, or jest (2002). For example, one would not have expected to see Borat dressed as an American flag themed cowboy or give an outrageous speech about George Bush drinking the blood of every Iraqi. Additionally, his pronunciation and word use also made it humorous. For example, Borat announces to the rodeo fans, we support your war of terror, instead of the typical wording, the war on terror. Also when Borat was announced to sing the United States National Anthem, it was unexpected and humorous that he randomly decides to instead sing the Kazakhstans National Anthem to the music of the Star Spangled Banner. Finally the Relief Theory of humor also was prevalent in this scene. The scene starts out showing the rodeo crowd, cowboys, bulls and a cowgirl on a horse holding an American flag. As Borat is sings Kazakhstans National Anthem to the music of the Star Spangled Banner and the stunned crowd begins to boo in outrage to what they are hearing and the cowgirl holding the American flag suddenly just falls down. Critchley tells us that, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦laughter is explained as a release of pent-upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ energy where the energy that is released and discharged in laughter provides pleasure (2002). To make sure this movie was humorous to its viewers, Sacha Cohen, the creator of Borat, made sure to present this movie to an American audience who shares the same set of cultural symbols, norms, and expectations. This enabled moviegoers to relate to the outrageous antics that Borat does continuously throughout the movie. By exposing Americans to some of the reasons why other countries criticize or mock the United States, it eventually lets Americans realize their own ideological shortcomings. The movie also allows Americans to look at their culture from an outside foreigner perspective since Borats character was a person from a completely different country and culture. Cohen intentionally exposes Americas weaknesses as a political message to an American audience in hopes of influencing American society. By depicting how the United States has sense of superiority, Cohen does a superb job in showing how prevalent prejudice and racism is still alive in parts of the United States against other countries custom and cultures. This movie invites viewers to reconsider many issues regarding world politics by shedding light on popular controversial American ideology. By applying humor to serious subjects, it is easier for the viewer to digest. The movie accomplished its purpose by displaying how Americans are continually intolerant and racist towards other countries. By addressing these serious issues in a humorous way, the movie allows the viewer to digest more easily and remember the message that Cohen wanted to get across. In conclusion, I found this movie to be extremely funny. However, I can understand how some people may have been affected by Cohens sense of humor and found the movie to be insulting. Borat was my favorite movie to watch and analyze for this class. Having seen the movie when it first came to the theaters, and then watching it again for a class assignment definitely gave me a different prospective of the movie. I was able to see the movie with a more critical eye and appreciate the different styles of humor that were utilized throughout the film.

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Learning Development Essay

Critical thinking and problem solving are skills required to increase the growth in children’s learning and development, especially if our goal is to prepare a community of effective life-long learners. Researchers find that the definitions of each of these skills vary among the education community, but the necessity of student acquisition of these skills is demanded in the learning process. Critical thinking and problem solving offer an extensive, fundamental skill to the educating of children. This skill set is necessary for student understanding, development, and learning. It has been found that the internalization and automatic use of these skills would greatly increase student opportunity as future learners provide insight of understanding of concepts and provide an alternative way of thinking to a demanding world of self-monitoring, reflecting, and knowing. If these skills are necessary, we ask, why is it that all students don’t have them? In my paper, I will define critical thinking and problem solving. Then I will elaborate on the necessity of teachers teaching students critical thinking and problem solving. I will conclude with the importance of these skills as it pertains to the development of student learning and effectiveness of student performance. Provided are the three working definitions of critical thinking and problem solving. In 2008, Sezer’s research defined critical thinking as, â€Å"the evaluation and reflecting of what you know to be true† (p. 349). Later McCollister and Sayler (2010) defined it as, â€Å"carefully analyzing the way we think, with the purpose of improving it† (p. 41). The definition for problem solving will stand alone and is simply stated by Martinez (2006) as â€Å"problem solving is what y... ... K., & Sayler, M.. (2010, January). Lift the Ceiling: Increase Rigor With Critical Thinking Skills. Gifted Child Today, 33(1), 41-47. Retrieved 23 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1950190601). Sezer, R. (2008). Integration Of Critical Thinking Skills Into Elementary School Teacher Education Courses In Mathematics. Education, 128(3), 349-362. Retrieved 21 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1460776461). Shure. M. (2006, April). Helping Children Solve Problems. Scholastic Early Childhood Today, 20(6), 10-11. Retrieved 23 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1013090421). Zemelman, S., Daniels, H. & Hyde, A. (2005). Best Practice Todays's Standards for Teaching & Learning in America's Schools Third Edition. In H. D. Steven Zemelman, The Principles of Best Practice Learning (p.7-22). Portsmouth: Heinemann.

Essay example --

Compare and contrast the assumptions of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Explain why these approaches made the assumptions they did, and critically evaluate each approach. Behaviorism and psychoanalysis are two influential theories of psychology that are pole apart. The most basic difference between these two theories is in the way they define a behavior. While behaviorists believe that that almost every human emotion is conditioned by habit and can be learned or unlearned, psychoanalysts believe that everything humans do is completely controlled by the unconscious mind at some level. Psychoanalysis is based on the theories proposed by Sigmund Freud. Freud proposed the idea that mental functions are on both conscious as well as unconscious levels. He believed that childhood events have a powerful psychological influence throughout a person’s life. With psychoanalysis, Freud tried to interpret the causes of patients ’problems by gaining an insight or revealing the unconscious processes to the conscious awareness. According to Freud, the mind can be divided into three different levels: the conscious, the preconscious and the unconscious. The conscious includes everything that we are aware of. Preconscious includes our memory, feelings and thoughts, which is not always part of consciousness but can be retrieved easily at any time and brought into our awareness. Finally, the unconscious contains all the feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness. The contents of the unconscious mind, Freud believed, are mostly unpleasant. He believed that the unconscious is mostly important because it continues to influence our behavior and experience, even though we are not always aware of these underly... ...minated. In his book, Psychological Care of the Infants and Child, he crititicized child rearing practices prevalent in those times. He advocated a regulatory rather than permissive system of child rearing. In this way, we can see that even Watson believed that childhood experiences were important in building the personality of an individual. He stressed the importance of encouraging children to be productive from an early age. However, while Freud suggested an entirely sex- driven instinct in children and infants, Watson originally accepted idea of instincts, but later said they were merely due to conditioning He insisted that psychology restrict itself to objective study of behavior. While Freud’s psychoanalysis used hypnosis, free association and talk therapy to understand the causes of behavior and disorders in patients’, Watson claimed that observation is .

Heart Of Darkness Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge? He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision-he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath: The horror! The horror!† What horror is Kurtz recounting as his final words? Truths lie inside the inner soul of all human beings, it is just a matter of when and where they will come out. Kurtz choose to let his be known as his passing words. An epiphany, a passing glimpse, the realization of what he has created and destroyed, willingly, or blindly going about hacking through the jungle blindfolded, searching for something of extrinsic importance. The narrator of Heart of Darkness never lets the reader know what Kurtz was speaking about. I believe Conrad wanted his audience to judge for themselves the importance of Kurtz’s words. Finding literal, as well as deeper meanings, in the novel becomes very apparent when basing the context of Kurtz’s words from a thematic standpoint. His word’s can be broken down on three levels: the first, dealing with the obvious literally sense of horror representing all the dead Africans, who died at the hands of the Kurtz in his lusty quest for ivory; the second, delves into an important theme relating to the book, which is human savagery, Kurtz must have realized he had become what he hated most; Lastly, on a abstract level, his finally word’s would have represented the society of European Imperialism that had molded Kurtz and formed him into a by-product of the mixture, which culminated together to create colonial, imperialistic attitudes. It is shear terror to imagine the magnitude of the scale on which atrocities of death, murder, and genocide had taken place against the Africans. Death is a very silent, dirty scene. Nobody has ever been able to recount their tale of death, for no doorway has been found that any person can use to return. Kurtz’s inner station was, responsible for gathering more ivory than all the other stations combined. This task, viewed on its own merits, is a tremendous accomplishment, showing Kurtz’s fortitude in achieving his goal. When the reader sees what methods are used to gather the ivory, the true nature of â€Å"the real cost† becomes apparent. The Africans were used as slaves, Kurtz’s own tribal followers, who obeyed each and every command he gave them, no m... ...d they became debtors if they wanted to remain on their land. Ah Yes, this wonderful company managed to turn quite the profit: by keeping costs low and selling at a high price, the economics were entirely in the hands of the company. Now, I know why they the phrase â€Å"business can be cutthroat† is used; probably because the Europeans would have done just that if their products did not move. The focus of profit superseded the focus on humanitarian value, and worker’s rights, leaving the company with a tattered image and large coffers, but at what price? Kurtz’s last words, was the summarization of Conrad’s whole critique on European Imperialism/Colonialism. My belief is Kurtz represented all that is European in nature, showed his true colours, as a snake sheds his skin during a time of change. Meaning, when Kurtz reverted back into a savage state the real nature of his person, personified as the European philosophy towards their true mission in African came out. The white sepulchre was destroyed, remaining was what was hidden previously: decay of a rotten society, with hollow values, and darkness that emulated in the light that blocked out all the rays of sun in the African’s lives.

Problems We Face in Our Daily Lives

E & B Hassan Anjum Problem 1 Inconvenience of getting ready in the morning Background: This is a problem that every person faces, be it a kid getting ready for school or an adult going to office. Why do people complain about it? Obviously the reason is pretty simple. It is time consuming. People want a solution that helps them to cut this time. Solutions tried (TIPS): There isn’t any such specific product which helps people to tackle this problem. But we do have some tips regarding this situation on the internet http://www. wikihow. com/Get-Ready-in-the-Morning ttp://parentables. howstuffworks. com/family-matters/3-free-get-ready-school-printables-make-your-mornings-easier. html (This isn’t relevant to the topic but is an interesting idea for kids to learn getting ready themselves in the morning. ) http://www. wikihow. com/Get-Ready-for-School-%28for-Girls%29 Possible solution (Product) : It is a wild idea but I really fancy the idea of some iron man machine look alike which has all the tools and equipment ( Eg Robotics controlling hairbrush , tooth brush etc) for getting ready in the morning.Morever, we have an input device ( probably an augmented reality screen which helps us to decide what clothes to wear). And all these processes involved in getting ready are controlled by robotics. All we have to do is choose what clothes to wear and enter the machine. All the functions are performed simultaneously. Morever this machine would have the capabilities to give one a bath. So the 2nd problem of bathing could be integrated as well. Just a wild idea . I know it sounds a bit complicated but still a possibility.Problem 2 Sound Pollution Background: Sound or noise pollution is another common problem that one faces in his daily life. It can be caused in many forms. Be it some construction work going on in the community, the roaring of vehicle engines in the morning, highway noise or probably some late night party going on in the neighbourhood. Noise poll ution has become a serious concern due to its adverse effects. Solutions that already exist: http://www. youtube. com/watch? =-jevPIJmABA&feature=related This vid shows us the different materials to sound proof a room. Pretty common thing And as Janet and Josh have mentioned already http://www. audimutesoundproofing. com/ Something portable but too big to carry around. Possible solutions : Sound proof remote (Press a button and it sound proofs the room) P. S , Yes this idea has been discussed and mentioned before. Other solutions such as sound proof walls, ear muffs are too mainstream. And SORRY for the delay !!

Flowers for Algernon †Qualities That Surpass Intelligence Essay

Flowers for Algernon, is a classic novel written by Daniel Keyes a young mentally challenged man named Charlie Gordon. This book chronicles, from a first person point of view, Charlie’s mental and physical struggles and achievements after undergoing a breakthrough procedure that is hoped to render him intelligent. Throughout the book, much of the focus is on Charlie’s academic progress while his emotional and personal development is not much of a concern. This becomes a problem because Charlie realizes that it is important to demonstrate qualities other than intelligence to lead a life that is oth happy and successful. Qualities shown to be more important than intelligence in Flowers for Algernon are: patience, kindness and respect. Throughout Flowers for Algernon, patience is often shown to be a more important quality in character than intelligence. Starting from the beginning when Charlie was still mentally challenged, people never seemed to be patient with him. If they had taken the time to get to know and understand him they would have seen that he had a good heart and genuine personality. This also applies to our everyday life. We must be patient and try to understand others before we begin to judge them. Charlie also demonstrated the negative consequences of a lack of patience when his intelligence began to surpass that of those around him, â€Å"I was afraid it would come to this, but I have no patience with her now. I’m jealous of every moment away from the work- impatient with anyone†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Keyes 295). You can clearly see that due to his lack of patience with anyone around him, he is in a state of upset and distress. That is how patience is shown to be more important than ntelligence in this novel. Kindness is another quality shown to surpass intelligence in order of importance in Flowers for Algernon. Simply being kind to others can get you far in life and change others views and opinions of you in a positive way. This is shown when Alice tells Charlie what made him such a great person before he had the operation, â€Å"There was something in you before. I don’t know†¦ a warmth, an openness, a kindness that made everyone like you and like to have you around. † (Keyes 122). Being kind makes both yourself and others feels good. While everyone may not be able to solve an algebraic equation or understand Shakespeare, we can all interpret, accept and appreciate kindness in all its forms. This is why kindness is shown to be a more valuable quality than intelligence in Flowers for Algernon. A third quality shown to be more important than intelligence in Flowers for Algernon is respect. Everyone wants to be valued and respected and when you behave in this way towards others, it is often reciprocated. Everyone should learn to respect each other for who they are and not try to change them. Each person is an individual with their own thoughts and feelings and we can not change them. In the novel, a bakery employee stresses the importance of respect when the other workers make fun of Charlie, â€Å"He can’t help what he is†¦ but for God’s sake, have some respect! He’s a human being! † (Keyes 199). Charlie also often feels that he is not being respected as a human being and that he is just being treated as an experiment. This has a negative impact on him and also demonstrates the importance of respect. Those are the ways that respect is shown to be a ore valuable quality than intelligence in this novel. If one looks between the lines in the novel Flowers for Algernon, they will interpret many messages and take away valuable lessons from it. One of which is that there are qualities that are much more valuable and important than intelligence. The qualities that are shown to be more important than intelligence in Flowers for Algernon are patience, kindness and respect. By possessing and utilizing these qualities a person can lead both a happy and successful life and better the lives of those around them.

Brave New World Double Entry Journals Essay

It was because about 3 centuries ago all classes of people were conditioned to like nature and transportation but that meant on the weekend they were unproductive so now they are conditioned to like transportation and country sports, which means they still consume transportation. | Pg. 30 â€Å"Human beings used to be. † he hesitated; the blood rushed to his cheeks. â€Å"Well, they used to be viviparous. †| What does viviparous mean? The context of it in the book seems to be like a bad word would be today to say. After this line it says â€Å"Born†. Viviparous: (of an animal) Bringing forth live young that have developed inside the body of the parent. (Dictionary. com) I was right it meant to have kids, BNW people are so used to babies being hatched and don’t know what it’s like for someone to give birth. | Pg. 32 â€Å"Moral education, which ought never, in any circumstances, to be rational. †| The D. H. C. expresses the idea that moral education is accepted in the society. However, those morals are determined by ‘The World Controllers’. Reasoning, fate, or God do not play a role in moral education. Nothing is to ever be based on proper reasoning and especially emotion. | Pg. 34. â€Å"Till at last the child’s mind is these suggestions, and the sum of the suggestions is the child’s mind. And not the child’s mind only. The adult’s mind too all his life long. The mind that judges and desires and decides- made up of these suggestions. But all these suggestions are our suggestions! † The Director almost shouted in his triumph. â€Å"Suggestions from the State. †| Everything the people think or want to do is from the state. People can’t/aren’t allowed to think for their self’s. They are told what they do and don’t like. The Director seems very proud about how the state can decide on what the kids are to know/learn. If you think about it closely this is almost done in today’s society. Schools are all regulated per region in the world and things are chosen on what kids should learn, and what is morally right/wrong. | Pg. 35 â€Å"Nowadays the Controllers won’t approve of any new game unless it can be shown that it requires at least as much apparatus as the most complicated of existing games. †| Why would the controllers not allow a game that is simpler than any current games? All games must be more complex in how it works than current ones to be approved. Is this done to make people who invent things to think harder too make it more complex that in turn, the people are thinking harder and able to hopefully produce better things for the society? | Pg. 35 â€Å"Two children, a little boy of about seven and a little girl who might have been a year older, were playing, very gravely and with all the focused attention of scientists intent on a labor of discovery, a rudimentary sexual game. â€Å"Charming, charming! † the D. H. C. repeated sentimentally. | Is it just me or is it weird that the society pushes promiscuously on kids age 7 and 8. Also the director seems to enjoy watching the two kids erotic behavior. | Pg. 35 â€Å"This little boy seems rather reluctant to join in the ordinary erotic play. †¦.. â€Å"And so,† she went on, turning back to the Director, â€Å"I’m taking him in to see the Assistant Superintendent of Psychol ogy. Just to see if anything’s at all abnormal. †| Maybe there isn’t anything wrong with the boy, BNW society is basically forcing little kids to explore/have sex with each other. What can the superintendent of psychology tell you other than that the kid doesn’t ant too have sex. It is also creepy that they all look the exact same. | Pg. 39 â€Å"Our Ford’s: History is bunk. History,† he repeated slowly, â€Å"is bunk. †Ã¢â‚¬  | I know in real life Henry Ford said something along those lines; â€Å"†History is more or less bunk. It’s tradition. We don’t want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker’s damn is the history that we make today. † (Chicago Tribune, 1916). | Pg. 41 â€Å"I’ve been feeling rather out of sorts lately,† Fanny explained. â€Å"Dr. Wells advised me to have a Pregnancy Substitute. â€Å"But, my dear, you’re only nineteen. The first Pregnancy Substitute isn’t compulsory till twenty-one. †| Since no one in the society has children it seems as though once each female turns 21 they have a pregnancy substitute to mimic pregnancy. This is maybe done so no one has an odd urge to have a baby. | Pg. 42 â€Å"Again? † Fanny’s kind, rather moon-like face took on an incongruous expression of pained and disapproving astonishment. â€Å"Do you mean to tell me you’re still going out with Henry Foster? †| In the society it seems like a very big disapproval of people especially to date/marry. People are only supposed to go out together one night, have sex, and be done with each other that is why Fanny is questioning Lenina. | Pg. 45 â€Å"After all, every one belongs to every one else. †| This keeps coming up throughout the book that after all everyone (belongs/works) to/for everyone else. The society here shows that they believe everyone is equal. Why would they make differ class groups for the society? | Pg. 47 â€Å"They say somebody made a mistake when he was still in the bottle-thought he was a Gamma and put alcohol into his blood-surrogate. That’s why he’s so stunted. | So in the BNW society to stunt the growth and brainpower of select groups they put alcohol into the blood that is transferred over the embryo to stunt the growth. In today’s time research has been shown that if you drink alcohol when pregnant a baby can be born with birth defects or have a mentally disorder. | Pg. 48 â€Å"The Nine Years’ War began in A. F. 141. à ¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. â€Å"The Nine Years’ War, the great Economic Collapse. There was a choice between world Control and destruction. Between stability and . †| It can be inferred that the conflict broke out in Europe, affected most of the planet, and caused massive physical damage. It is repeatedly stated that chemical and biological weapons were used during the war, particularly in mass air-raids against cities. Following the war, the global economy collapsed and created an unprecedented worldwide economic crisis. The new world leaders tried to forcibly impose their new ideologies on Earth’s populations. This met with widespread resistance, including large-scale riots. Realizing that they could not force people to adopt the new lifestyle, the World Controllers instead united the planet into the One World State and began a peaceful campaign of change. This campaign included the closing of museums, the suppression of almost all literature published before 2058, and the destruction of the few historical world monuments that had survived the war. | Pg. 51 â€Å"Ending is better than mending† | There are many meanings to this statement. One could be the clear one that when you have an old pair of clothes to throw it out instead of trying to fix it. This helps the BNW economy by people always spending money to buy new clothes. A second point I took from this quote was with the ‘Nine Years War’ that it was better to end and restart how the world worked than trying to reorganize the planet and trying to pick up from where we were before the war. | Pg. 51 â€Å"The introduction of Our Ford’s first T-Model . †| At first I thought their god/creator was some guy named Ford but now I’m peaty sure Huxley implies that it is Henry Ford. I stated this because Ford’s first model of car he made was called the T-Model. (Wikipedia) | Pg. 64 â€Å"It’s not enough for the phrases to be good; what you make with them ought to be good too. | He is telling him that it doesn’t matter if the phrases are good it’s how you make them good. He is implying the idea of using your mind and not what is given to you. Future Rebel? | Pg. 67 â€Å"Fine to think we can go on being socially useful even after we’re dead. Making plants grow. †| Even after your dead th e society still uses you for it’s personal gain they take your body and it’s turned into fertilizer for crops to grow!!! | Pg. 75 â€Å"Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun,Kiss the girls and make them One. Boys at one with girls at peace;Orgy-porgy gives release. †| This is talking about and orgy. The last stanza of â€Å"orgy-porgy gives release† as the violent passion surrogate, the surrogate pregnancy and the soma, is a sign that the World State has not been able to completely annihilate from human nature. There is still some need for liberation, a need to experience strong emotions that have not been completely wiped out through conditioning. Solidarity Service is one of many mechanisms used to channel state of the excitement, so that they present no threat to state power. | Pg. 77 â€Å"Not more than half a dozen people in the whole Centre had ever been inside a Savage Reservation. As an Alpha-Plus psychologist, Bernard was one of the few men she knew entitled to a permit. For Lenina, the opportunity was unique. †| What is a savage reservation? Is it an area where they keep a group of normal people like you and me in today’s time? In case something goes wrong or for emergencies they can have back up DNA. | Pg. 78 â€Å"â€Å"In a crowd,† he grumbled. â€Å"As usual. † He remained obstinately gloomy the whole afternoon; wouldn’t talk to Lenina’s friends (of whom they met dozens in the ice-cream soma bar between the wrestling bouts)†| It seems like people in BNW like too be in crowds and together. But Bernard seems like the only person who doesn’t like to be with groups of people. Is this because of something going wrong when he was in a test tube? | Pg. 84 â€Å"Don’t imagine,† he said, â€Å"that I’d had any indecorous relation with the girl. Nothing emotional, nothing long-drawn. †| The director is thinking that Bernard is thinking the director had more than a sexual relationship with the women he brought to the reserve, which is against BNW rules in the society because after all everyone belongs to everyone. Pg. 88 â€Å"Five hundred and sixty thousand square kilometers, divided into four distinct Sub-Reservations, each surrounded by a high-tension wire fence. †| Why would the reservations have to be subdivided and need for instant death electric fences? Maybe each reserve has a different race and they want each race to be separate and to protect their own traditions and culture. It is maybe also for science to not be able to get i n to the people in the reserves. |

Biological Psychology Essay

Biological psychology, also known as biopsychology and psychobiology, is the field of research in psychology that gives emphasis on the use of principles of biology in explaining mental processes and behavior. It emerged as a scientific discipline in the 18th and 19th centuries when philosophers like Rene Descartes proposed physical models to explain animal and human behavior as opposed to subjective, semi-mystical approach that flourished during his time. Some of the Nobel Prize winners who are considered as biological psychologists include Charles Sherrington (1932), George Wald (1967), Konrad Lorenz (1973), David H. Hubel (1981), Eric R. Kandel (2000), and Linda B. Buck (2004). Sherrington and Adrian shared the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physiology for their discoveries that had something to do with how the neurons work. Sherrington postulated his â€Å"law of reciprocal innervation† stating that every neural activation in a muscle is inhibited by an opposing muscle. Adrian on the other hand accidentally discovered the presence of electricity with nerve cells in 1928. Wald is best known for his work with pigments in the retina. Lorenz won the 1973 Nobel Prize together with Niko Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch for their discoveries concerning behavior patterns of individuals and groups. Hubel and Torsten Wiesel shared the 1981 Nobel Prize â€Å"for their discoveries concerning information processing in the visual system.†Ã‚   Kandel won the 2000 Nobel Prize for â€Å"his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons.† Buck is best known for her work on the olfactory system. Information about biological psychology can have wide applications in my everyday life. Through researches on biology applied in psychology, I am able to know more about mental processes and how I behave according to different conditions or stimuli. I am also able to understand psychological abnormalities and learn how to respond to such abnormalities. References Klein, S. B. (2007). Biological Psychology. New York, NY: Worth Publishers

The Political, Social, and Personal Implications of Democracy Term Paper

The Political, Social, and Personal Implications of Democracy - Term Paper Example The discussion is primarily centered towards the political, social, and personal implications of democracy, which this paper is able to identify critically as having a direct connection to the capitalist system with which democracy is compatible. The corresponding statuses of people in the capitalist system resulted in their commodification and dispossession, contrary to the right to life, liberty, and property, which democracy has initially espoused. Democracy is a form of government in which people exercise political power. It has been defined in terms of "sources of authority for government, purposes served by government, and procedures for constituting a government" (Huntington 1991, p. 6). Democracy has been a thriving governmental and political concept in the past and even at present, replacing old remnants of monarchy that for a long time, constituted the social and economic lives of people. Democracy has changed how people deal with social patterns, particularly on their awar eness of political, economic, and individual rights, which were unknown concepts prior to its conception (Rueschemeyer et al., 1991). The dynamism of democracy has apparently transformed various social institutions such as government, religion, trade, and education. Not only is the capacity of people to participate in political affairs covered by it, but also the reinforcement of their natural rights (Huntington 1991). Democracy has indeed become a guideline on how states can best manage the conduct of their affairs. Democracy has various political implications. Not only is the concept limited to the functions of the branches of government, but it has also broadened into the aspects of securing individual and civil rights, economic freedom, and social democracy. It contributed to the resurrection of the right to suffrage, which the Athenians initially introduced in their concept of direct democracy in nation-states. Monarchial and totalitarian systems denied this right to subjects. This denial during the pre-democratic society was due to an establishment of an autocratic empire in which the monarch (the king) was considered the absolute figurehead, and all powers of government emanated from him. This system complemented with the growth of the Church, in which a popular maxim proliferated, "the act of the government is the act of God" (Evans 2004). With democracy, newfound freedom of men and women established a stronger political and social foundation in which the political life of the nation is founded. The construction of a democratic charter in a form of a Constitution delineates the political and constitutional rights of people in a democratic state, securing and clothing them with constitutional provisions, inducible whenever necessary. Democracy has given individuals the enjoyment of various rights ranging from political (right to citizenship, to suffrage, to assembly, to information on matters of public concern, etc.) to personal (right to privacy, to re ligion, liberty of abode and changing the same, etc.). Women were finally permitted to exercise their right to vote and found recluse in education from only being mere administrators of the household. Hence, they pursued careers, education, and participation in political and social departments originally designated to men alone.