The Self management competencies education essay

IntroductionCompetences are underlying features that lead to superior public presentation in an person. They include qualities, accomplishments, properties and traits that help people to be successful. Competences are capable of being developed in people instead than being fixed. This competence development is largely developed through Personal & A ; Professional Skills. Personal & A ; Professional Development is basically an avenue of learning professionals how to develop their professional accomplishments, concentrating on what we do and how we do them. Personal and Professional Development is critical for the development professional abilities in every person and I am non an exclusion. This is because in professional development, a individual ‘s security does non lie in the occupation or administration they work for but in the accomplishments, cognition and experiences that they have within themselves ( Megginson & A ; Whitaker 2007 ) . This shows the necessity to increase o ne ‘s cognition through specialised and consistent instruction in one ‘s profession. This work will demo how the faculty Personal and Professional Development has affected my professional accomplishments. In making that, we shall discourse briefly how the five competences have affected my professional accomplishments but there will be in-depth account on ego development competences. The grounds for taking ego development competence are due to its importance in the development of my professional accomplishments and because I noticed after the survey of the faculty that I need so much betterment in the competence. In my acquisition analysis, I will critically analyze the faculty and demo how it has impacted on me positively or otherwise, identifies my countries of strengths and failings and develops action programs to better on my strengths and make off or at least better on my failing and thenceforth conclude.Analysis OF MY LEARNING ON THE MODULEBefore the analysis of my acquisition in this faculty, I will briefly define acquisition. Learning is an acquisition of cognition or accomplishment that enables us to gain something new, or be able to make something we have n't done earlier ( Diana Winstanley, 2005 ) . Learning is geting facts, accomplishments and methods ( Saljo 1979 ) and it is the procedure whereby cognition is created through the transmutation of experience ( Kolb 1984 ) . Harmonizing to Honey and Mumford ( 1986 ) , there are four different larning manners ( militant, pragmatist, reflector and theoretician ) . Learning is besides reassigning cognition into action- it is about deve loping competency and being able to set the cognition into pattern. I will besides foreground what is expected in all the five competences and associate it to my acquisition in the faculty.SELF-MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIESUnder this competence, we have larning penchants, perceptual experience, values, pull offing emphasis and personal resiliency. In larning penchant we mean how do you desire to larn best: hearing, reading on your ain or other agencies. Perception merely means the manner you see things. Valuess harmonizing to Rokeach, 1973 are desirable, trans-situational ends that vary in importance as steering rules in people ‘s lives. Personal resiliency is our ability to resile back, or even turn, in the face of force per unit areas and menaces. Stress is defined as â€Å" the mental and physical status that consequences from a sensed menace or demand that can non be dealt with readily † ( Furnham 2005 ) .INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIESInterpersonal competence is the ability t o associate and understand others. Here scholars try to see things from other people ‘s point of position in order to understand how they think and feel. An interpersonal competent individual attempts to keep peace in group scenes and promote co-operation. An interpersonal competent individual is Self-assured, self-asserting, Influence and persuade others, grips emotions and struggles really good and above is a squad builder.SELF DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIESWhen we talk of ego development competence, we mean competence in developing one ego. Some of the things that come to mind there are puting accomplishable ends, having feedback, motive, self revelation and brooding thought.Personal LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIESHere we talk about what is in a individual that make him or her a good leader. Its competences include power ie power to take, influence and trust ( Being able and prepared to follow a figure of ways to derive support and influence diverse parties, with the purpose of procuring betterments ) , empowerment ( endeavoring to ease others ‘ parts and to portion leading, fostering capableness and long-run development of others ) , emotional intelligence ( ‘the subset of societal intelligence that involves the ability to supervise one ‘s ain feelings and others ‘ feelings and emotions, to know apart among them and to utilize this information to steer one ‘s thought and actions ‘ ( Salovey and Mayer 1990, pp.5 ) ) and leading manner.ENGAGING WITH OTHERS COMPETENCIESIn prosecuting with others competences, we have valuing diverseness which made me gain that people are different. Valuing diverseness is of import, because the increasing globalisation in the universe requires more interaction among people from diverse civilizations, beliefs, and backgrounds than of all time before. Besides cultural consciousness comes to mind as civilization is a major beginning of single differences, which consequences in different personalities. P rofessionalism and moralss are competences that a professional can non play with. The merely means Department of State and don'ts in the profession, this faculty shows me that what keeps me in the profession aside my personal cognition and interaction, developing self, taking good is to cognize when I am either making short of what is expected of me or when I am over making it. This faculty at first seemed meaningless to me, the lone ground why I listened was that I was funny and that it is portion of my faculty, though I questioned its usefulness. But as clip goes on, it started droping, started going interesting, I started going aware of my developmental demands. The first category I attended was really deadening ab initio, but when category activity on larning penchants was given, I realise that I needed self-development and personal alteration ; which means that I had been in stage 1 of my personal and professional development ( being unconscious and unqualified ; Straangard, 1981 ) . Nevertheless, I instantly chose to develop myself because deep inside me I was motivated to larn and win ( Megginson et al. 2007 ) . In the class of my acquisition, I discovered so many things about myself that I did non cognize before. Typical illustrations are that I now know how to utilize feedback to develop myself efficaciously. I besides now know what it means to put a realizable end within realizable clip frame. Furthermore, my engagement in group work every bit far as I know has now made me whole by doing me cognize how to work in a squad with different people as the faculty boosted my assurance. The faculty has helped me to cognize my larning penchants as a reflector ( good hearer, thoughtful and analytical, adopts a low profile and likes to stall ) which I discovered after taking the trial on ‘knowing your acquisition manners ‘ . The benefit of cognizing this my acquisition manner is that â€Å" aˆÂ ¦it shifts the accent towards promoting a balanced attack to acquisition and, possibly more significantly, an expressed consciousness of the scope of attacks available to me the scholar † ( CIPD 2006 ) . What I have achieved in the manner I see things after this faculty can non be underestimated. The faculty has taught me how to see things non merely from my point of position but other people ‘s ain excessively. In footings of values, my value systems have changed. In the faculty, I saw what Kohlberg ( 1981 ) came up with as three types of personal values viz. ; Pre-conventional values -punishment, obeisance and opportunism ; Conventional values- ou tlooks and conformance ; and Post-conventional values -universal ethical rules. I besides improved on emphasis direction either my personal or people ‘s emphasis after analysing its definition by Ivancevich et Al. ( 1990 ) . They defined stress direction as â€Å" Any activity, plan or chance initiated by an organisation, which focuses on cut downing the presence of work-related stressors or on helping persons to minimise the negative results of exposure to these stressors. † As respects my interpersonal accomplishments, the group work in this faculty improved my ego assurance. We were given group work on single differences and to my extreme surprise ; my group chose to stand for the group. At first, I shivered and even said no, but after encouragement from the group members, I summoned bravery and represented. The feedback I got was really encouraging positive and I picked up from at that place. Thereafter, I have been able to speak or stand for other groups in the category in many occasions. The group work I have involved in this faculty has made me to cognize that I am non self-asserting plenty even when I know it all. It made me to understand clearly what averment ( saying clearly what I mean ) means as against entry or aggression ( coercing ) . I like taking a looking place, and this is one country I need to better on. As respects influence and persuasion, I noticed that I am non a really influential individual, I merely do my things my ain manner, b ut the faculty made me to understand that as a professional I need small of influence to win. Ironically, the faculty brought to fore my ability to manage emotion and struggle. During our category treatment on single differences, one of my group members was emotionally touch when he was told to be excessively aggressive ; I was thorough and careful to understand his emotion in other to decide his emotion. My attempt to command his emotion showed me my ability to manage emotion and struggle. In constructing my squad accomplishments, I listen carefully and avoid disrupting others. Sing the category activity on ‘Team function, self-perception Inventory ‘ , utilizing Belbin, ( 1981, 2007 ) construct of squad functions I discovered that I am a squad worker -co-operative, mild, listens, perceptive and diplomatic but indecisive in crunch state of affairss. This faculty ‘s first category group work activity made me to reflect on my squad accomplishments. I sat back and car efully listened and I merely made impact after careful consideration of other people ‘ side of concluding. One country of teamwork that gives me concern after the faculty is that I am loath to depute. This faculty has really opened my eyes on how to make squad work. As a consequence, my squad accomplishments have improved and feedback from friends and schoolmates have confirmed it. I need to work more on my end scene because it is really of import to my success in anything I do. It is truly an country of failing for me. The first group work activity in category on this faculty made me gain that. We were given a clip frame which I about missed because the end I set was non within the clip frame. Notwithstanding, I chose to develop my end scene and I set marks for accomplishment. Besides, there is demand for betterment on feedback. This is discussed in item below. The survey of PPD faculty has impacted on me how to utilize my power. My category group that I spoke for group proves that. Before that group work, I barely stand in forepart of people, non to speak of taking a treatment. Interestingly, I found out that my influential power is nil. The faculty besides gave me an penetration about my empowerment capablenesss. I found out that I have involvement in long-run development of others. My emotional intelligence ability was brought into bow with the survey of this class as could be seen in our group when person was hurt for being branded aggressive. This faculty made me cognizant of the construct of leading and I decided to cognize my leading manner by taking a leading trial online ( ‘what is your Leadership Style ‘ ) . I found out that my leading manner is participative and non-assertive. What I do is to listen more from the people I lead and speak less. My leading competence and accomplishments lies on my ability to transport everyone along by leting anybody that wants to lend to make so before I arrive at a decision. During our category treatment on attitudes and values, I was carefully and exhaustively elaborate our group points of position before my presentation. Valuing diverseness made realise that people are different when we were given group assignment. I encourage other people ‘s position, is non great surprise to me working together with my group on category treatment with careful and thoughtful mode in subject we are meant to discourse, I use the chance to set everybody together although we are from different background and civilization besides portion some similarities.COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT: SELF DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIESThis competence is selected because of its importance in professional accomplishment development and I have needed to develop more here. Harmonizing to Wikipedia, personal/self development refers to activities that improve self cognition and individuality, develops cognition and potencies build human capital and employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realisation of dreams and aspiration. When we talk of this competence, the things that come to our head are puting chiseled and realistic personal ends ; exposing a high degree of inaugural, attempt, and committedness towards finishing assignments in a timely mode ; works with minimum supervising ; is motivated to accomplish and demonstrates responsible behavior. Goal scene is a powerful technique that appears to work by supplying a way for our attempts, concentrating our attending, advancing continuity and increasing our assurance ( supplying we achieve the ends we set ) . Puting ends as my scheme for self- development is worthwhile and that is why I chose this competency. Before this faculty, I usually set ends which I noticed were non accomplishable, with completion of this faculty, I realised that my ends need to be SMART in order to be accomplishable. The SMART method assumes that ends should be Specific ; Measurable ; Attainable ; Relevant and Time edge. This faculty has made me to cognize that I can put ambitious marks and has helped me to demo finding to run into the ends as set. With the SMART method, I now take necessary actions to run into my ends ; place and use steps to track and quantify accomplishment, overcome obstructions to accomplishing ends and even utilize failure as an chance to larn. Self awareness/disclosure: This is ability to self-reflect and be cognizant of one ‘s interior province of being like interior feelings, dreams, relationships with others, strengths and failings. McCarthy & A ; Garavan ( 1999 ) defines Self-awareness as, â€Å" the image that an person has about him/herself and whether or non that image is accurate in comparing with how others perceive that single † . It involves self-efficacy, self-actualisation and self-concept. Self-efficacy is the extent to which a individual believes he/she can execute the behavior required in any given state of affairs ( Arnold et al. , 1991 ; Bandura, 1989 ) , self-actualisation is an active nisus for personal development which might affect researching one ‘s endowments, educating oneself and/or honing physical accomplishments ( Rogers,1961 ) and Self-concept, as defined by Hayes ( 1994 ) is the rating that persons make about their traits and personalities and the image that they have of the mselves. My research in the faculty showed me what it means for an person to develop an image of him/herself and certain nucleus facets of it as explained by Whetten & A ; Cameron ( 2007 ) . The self revelation accomplishments I learnt from the faculty include: Acknowledging ain strengths and failings, reflecting and analysing oneself, consciousness of interior feelings, desires and dreams, measuring thought forms, concluding with oneself, A understanding function in relationship to others. However, my larning on self-awareness, prompted me to utilize the johari window by ( Luft & A ; Ingham 1955 ) to cognize more about my personality by acquiring feedback from friends. The feedback about my blind ego was flooring to me because I ne'er imagined any of them ; nevertheless, it gave me penetrations on some of my strengths and failings. I truly found out that I need to work on myself revelation after having the feedback. Receiving feedback: A PersonA who has this competence seeks feedback on strengths and failings and initiates activities to increase or heighten cognition, accomplishments, and competency in order to execute more efficaciously or heighten calling. The individual receives feedback in a constructive mode, investigations for concrete illustrations and suggestions to better ain public presentation. The individual spends clip larning new information or thoughts and using them efficaciously, keeps up to day of the month in cognition and accomplishments and learns from successes and failures Receiving feedback include confer withing relevant beginnings ( e.g. , assessments, studies, pictures, client feedback ) to acquire insight into ain public presentation. Feedback is necessary because it is a moderator of end effects in that the combination of ends ( Bandura & A ; Cervone, 1983 ; Becker, 1978 ; Erez, 1977 ; Strang, et Al. ( 1978 ) . With this faculty, I found out that I need to make much more on having feedback. Before the faculty, I ask for feedback without cognizing the strengths in having it. Completion of the faculty demo me how I can efficaciously do usage received feedback in the undermentioned ways: I will larn from both successes and failures, Initiates project debriefs to clear up learnings-both what worked good and what could be done more efficaciously in the hereafter, Seeks both formal and informal development chances, Demonstrates a desire to execute above and beyond the demands of my place, Coaches others to concentrate on self-development, builds a civilization that encourages larning and uninterrupted betterment and self-critical by placing both my strong and weak points.Brooding thought:Brooding thought involves personal consideration of one ‘s ain acquisition. It considers personal accomplishments and failures and asks what worked, what did n't, and what needs betterment ( Given, 2002 ) . It is a portion of the critical thought procedure mentioning specifically to the procedures of analysing, measuring, and doing judgements about what has happened. The faculty made me to happen out that this property was about missing in me. I of course set ends, ask for feedback and is even motivated, but this faculty made me understand that most of my failures are because of absence of contemplation. If you non sit down to analyse what went incorrect you keep on doing same errors. With completion of this faculty, I now have effectual tool of uniting contemplation with feedback to acquire my extreme consequence. Motivation harmonizing to Robbins and Judge, ( 2009 ) is a procedure that history for an person ‘s strength, way and continuity of attempt towards achieving a end. Motivation Shows finding to accomplish ends over clip ; resists any force per unit area to be deflected from this attainment. Takes calculated hazards, based on acquisition and experience, to accomplish longer-term service betterments.DecisionThe importance of this faculty to my professional development can non be underestimated. It is like an oculus opener. It shows me what to make and what non to make as a professional, It shows me where to better my accomplishments to be great in my profession. In fact, I now understand that the route to professional success is non merely based on cognizing what to make, but cognizing how best to make it to acquire extreme consequence. I am peculiarly happy about my nowadays and likely hereafter betterment on myself based on what I now know about end scene, self awareness, feedback, motive and contemplation. Conclusively, with the class in general, I am now more equipt for the challenge in front non as a pupil but as a professional.

The Effect Of Population Growth

Population is the largest increasing factor in our world. This factor is the cause of many events in our world. Poverty hunger and war are just some of the immediate effects of increasing population. Among these extreme causes the less immediate events will be seen with air pollution, land degradation, which is the effect that’ll have the longest term effect on the world. But how can these events are avoided? Is there any hope of stopping this from occurring any further? The largest, most identified reason for pollution could be mans technological advancements.Theses advancements such as those in agriculture, and those for transportation took a huge leap during a period in man called the industrial revolution. This period of time began the infectious state the world is in today. Around the early 18th century man had began the need for more things, which in this time was impossible with current methods of doing things. This began to change with the idea of mass production, this concluded in the establishment of large factories filled with hundreds of workers. These factories held the most advanced technology that increased time of production.Theses factories would produce so much fumes that snow and rain came in black droppings. The water was beyond consumable, this kind of behavior only increased over the next century when several parts of the world began their way into industrialization. But besides the factories them self the new form of work out rural areas out of business causing the need for migration to new urban areas better known as cities. These sites were far from sanitary the streets pilled with garbage which couldn’t be controlled without proper sanitation.The questions on the impact that man has put on the earth are seen every day in various ways some unseen to the naked eye but can be physically recorded. One well known example of the human footprint would be the increasing threat air pollution. The known causes of air pollution woul d the everyday events such as millions of car releasing exhaust fuels into the air. Fumes from car exhaust contain dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. Major causes of air pollution would be from the emissions from industries and manufacturing activities.Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air. The other well-known contributor to air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, which aside from air pollution is major concern for the amount of possible fossil fuels reaming. Now a not so well known addition to air pollution is the household and agricultural chemicals.Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful c hemicals into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them. Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil. This can kill crops or reduce their yield. It can kill young trees and other plants.Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles. When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages plants by changing soil composition; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay. The effects of human productivity, not only has an effect on our air but its damages the earth itself and the creature inhabiting it including humans.Short-term effects, which are temporary, include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term effects of air pollution can last for years or for an entire lifetime. They can even lead to a person's death. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs.Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects. Nearly 2. 5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of outdoor or indoor air pollution. People react differently to different types of air pollution. Young children and older adults, whose immune systems tend to be weaker, are often more sensitive to pollution. Conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease can be made worse by exposure to air pollution. Air pollutants called chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs) have destroyed parts of the ozone layer.The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere, shields our planet from the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. The areas of thin ozone are called ozone holes. Ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer and damages plants and wildlife. Ozone molecules wind up near the Earth's surface as a part of air pollution. Ozone molecules near the ground damages lung tissues of animals and prevent plant respiration by blocking the openings in leaves where respiration occurs. Without respiration, a plant is not able to photosynthesize at a high rate and so it will not be able to grow.Apart from the effects living organism face with air pollution the earth is becoming less stable for life, these effects are known as global warming which is destroying the very structure of earth that sustains life. Global warming is an environmental phenomenon caused by natural and anthropogenic air pollution. It refers to rising air and ocean temperatures around the world. This temperature rise is at least partially caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the Earth’s atmosphere.Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has had the biggest effect on global warming. Other greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources also include methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and agricultural processes. Nitrous oxide is a common emission from industrial factories, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels in cars. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons, are emitted by industry. Fluorinated gases are often used instead of gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been outlawed in many places because they deplete the ozone layer.These continuing air problems are only small compared to problems that can be seen. Water already being a scarce resource in many countries is also affected by the pollution of mankind that has harsh outcomes for people, the environment and its wildlife. We rely on clean water to survive, yet right now we are heading towards a water crisis. Changing climate patterns are threatening lakes and rivers, and key sources that we tap for drinking water are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution. As technology improves, scientists are able to detect more pollutants, and at smaller concentrations, in Earth’s freshwater bodies.Containing traces of pollution ranging from birth control pills, sunscreen to pesticides and petroleum, our planet's lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater chemical mixture. Beyond synthetic pollution, freshwater is also the end point for biological waste, in the form of human sewage, animal excrement, and rainwater runoff flavored by nutrient-rich fertilizers from yards and farms. These nutrients find their way through river systems into seas, sometimes creating coast al ocean zones void of oxygen—and therefore aquatic life—and making the connection between land and sea painfully obvious.There have been countless reports of the effects water pollution has caused. An article published by Dawn Walls-Thumma talk about the water pollution. â€Å"Mississippi River, poisoning the water in the Gulf of Mexico and causing an 8,000-square-mile dead zone — an area roughly the size of New Jersey — in which aquatic life cannot survive. † This is showing the connection between developed countries and developing ones are closely interacted when it comes to environmental health.Drinking water comes from surface water, such as lakes and rivers, and from groundwater Pollution in these sources affects the quality and safety of water available in your home and, if the problem is not detected, it can affect your health. Pollution of drinking water occurs because of contamination by human and animal waste, mining activities, fertiliz er and pesticides from homes and farms, industrial wastes, hazardous wastes generated by dry cleaners and gas stations, landfills and improperly disposed-of household wastes. Pollution with sewage or manure runoff can cause microbial contamination of drinking water.This results in gastrointestinal diseases that can be fatal in high risk individuals. Nitrates — chemicals used in synthetic fertilizers — can leach into groundwater or run off into surface waters. While most individuals suffer no adverse effects from high levels of nitrates, infants cannot convert them into a harmless substance; if they consume nitrates, they can die from blue baby syndrome, a disorder in which the blood cannot properly carry oxygen. Infants, young children, pregnant and nursing women and some elderly individuals are most at risk for nitrate poisoning.Increased demand for agriculture commodities generates incentives to convert forests and grasslands to farm fields and pastures. The transiti on to agriculture from natural vegetation often cannot hold onto the soil and many of these plants, such as coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean and wheat, can actually increase soil erosion beyond the soil’s ability to maintain it. The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these waterways and causing declines in fish and other species.And degraded lands are also often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding. Sustainable land use can help to reduce the impacts of agriculture and livestock, preventing soil degradation and erosion and the loss of valuable land to desertification. The conditions of human life causing pollution is putting an ne to the earth’s life, with increasing populations and developing cities the world will not be able to last past the next generation. The only way we can continue to enjoy our earth is by finding and following the sol utions to these environmental problems.Air pollution to combat pollution in the United States, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to establish and enforce air pollution standards and to set emission standards for new factories and extremely hazardous industrial pollutants. The states were required to meet â€Å"ambient air quality standards† by regulating the emissions of various pollutants from existing stationary sources, such as power plants and incinerators, in part by the installation of smokestack scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and other filters.Auto manufacturers were mandated to install exhaust controls or develop less polluting engines. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1977, authorized the EPA to impose stricter pollution standards and higher penalties for failure to comply with air quality standards. another well needed policy revision is the Clean up oceangoing vessels. Cruise ships, container ships and tankers emit staggering amounts of smog-forming nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, heat-trapping carbon dioxide and particulates, among them black carbon (soot). New evidence shows that pollution from these vessels reaches surprisingly far inland.The U. S. government has requested that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) create an â€Å"emissions-control area† in American waters, including off Alaska and Hawaii. Although the U. S. signed the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, it cannot enforce those requirements until the IMO grants the right to create the control areas along its coastlines. Water pollution solutions are something that everyone can do to help prevent further pollution. Do not keep the tap running when not in use. Also, you can reduce the amount of water you use in washing and bathing.If we all do this, we can significantly prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of dirty water that needs treatment. Do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet. In many cities, your local environment office can help with the disposal of medicines and chemicals. If you use chemicals and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the material into nearby water sources. With soil degradation the best way is to grow leguminous plants.We should use natural manure instead of fertilizers. Legumes are notable in that most of them have symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in structures called root nodules. The world is a far off better place without the constant rising pollution and all it would take is a decrease in the living standards of people in developed countries. The use of less water and care products that’s add to water pollution driving cars that run on fossil fuels worsening our air quality and the chemical ways of farming in addition to the draining of resources.

Labor Management Relations

Katszuba’s write-up, which appears in the Star Tribune, is similar to Lulli and Henson’s (2006) article in two aspects. First, both articles tackle issues associated with labor union organizing. Katszuba’s article describes a problem associated with efforts to organize a labor union in an office that appears to be exempt from labor union organizing according to State Laws. In the same manner, Lulli and Henson are interested in the dynamics of labor union organizing in a growingly difficult environment where businesses are more interested in reducing labor costs and retaining their competitive advantage. Another similarity is that both articles present the political factors that affect labor union organizing wherein both explore the political motives behind union formation. Both Katszuba’s and Lulli and Henson’s article presents the agenda behind union organizing for the employees and other interest groups and personalities. On the other hand, there are differences between Katszuba’s report and Lulli and Henson’s (2006) article in terms of data and facts presented, specific issues raised, and the perspective from which the general issue of labor union organizing is discussed. Lulli and Henson’s article clearly present the general business and economic environment where labor unions are situated, the factors that promote labor union organizing activities, and the political, social, technological, and internal business practice agenda forwarded by the labor movement. They attempt to provide a wide understanding of the innovations in strategies and tactics employed by labor unions in general. Meanwhile, Katszuba describes a more particular scenario involving the organizing efforts of a labor union at the State Attorney General’s office. His article focuses more on the conflicting interests between the labor union, the State Attorney General as employer, and the employees of the Attorney General’s office. Likewise, Lulli and Henson raises the issue of the political, economic, and social impact of more advanced strategies and tactics used by labor unions to further their sectoral interests. The article discusses in detail the various ways in which labor unions are able to influence legislation, pressure politicians and investors into keeping businesses that are deemed anti-labor from opening new markets in some states, expand membership through a planned recruitment strategy targetting the younger generation of workers, take advantage of technology to advance their organizing efforts and reach a wider audience, and turning mergers and other business activities into opportunities to consolidate and strengthen their ranks. Lulli and Henson note how the results of credible surveys such and polls point to an uptrend for labor union power, support, and influence among the population and how an environment that is supportive of labor unions is encouraged by political and economic developments. They therefore give credit to the labor unions for being able to stand up for their interests and being able to come up with better strategies in organizing. At the same time, the authors observe that human resource professionals must be able to take note and study these developments in the labor movement critically in order to formulate appropriate approaches and tactics in dealing with increased union activity. Katszuba, on the other hand, highlights the tensions and problems created by the labor union organizing attempts in the State Attorney General’s office between employer and employees and within the labor union movement itself due to the â€Å"illegality† of labor organizing in the AG’s office. Likewise, the article not only raises the question of the validity of establishing a labor union in the State Attorney General’s office but also the question of motive in such efforts. To this effect, the article presents the controversy that a former candidate for the State General’s Office is behind the labor organizing efforts and is fanning the embers of employee dissatisfaction in order to destabilize the Office and embarrass the incumbent Attorney General. The question of motive is a crucial point in this article since it influences the reader’s perception of the trouble arising from labor union activities and seems to discredit the efforts of the labor union to gain employee representation by ascribing their motives to an external force other than the employees. The main difference between the two articles lies in the perspective from which union activities and tactics are discussed. Lulli and Henson’s article approaches the subject of evolving labor union strategies academically and in a neutral manner. They present the data in a way that attempts to provide Human Resource personnel with useful information on handling labor union organizing efforts and activities. In contrast, Katszuba’s article presents the story of the â€Å"organizing flap† in the Attorney General’s office in a more sensationalized manner. Although there is an attempt to establish objectivity by presenting both sides of the contending parties, the article is unfortunately lacking in more detailed explanation of the legislative factor that renders the organizing activities illegal. Thus, Mike Katszuba’s report on the â€Å"organizing flap in the AG’s office† and Lulli and Henson’s (2006) article on â€Å"union organizing trends and tactics† are similar in that they examine the phenomenon and issues of labor union organizing. However, a deeper scrutiny of the two articles reveals that while there may be similarities between these reports, there are also salient differences in terms of the facts they present, the issues they raise, and the perspective and objectives that the respective authors wish to impart to their readers.   

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 20

Case study - Essay Example 23). It is a case which may result to the eventual failure of the kidney, further, resulting to the death of the patient. The condition stems from abnormal and premature red blood cells destruction, which then clogs the filter system within the kidneys. In view of the condition, various factors may result to such happenings, endangering the life of the patient. The condition of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome happens in most cases on children often after having a bloody diarrhea, which results from infection with a strand of Escherichia coli (E. coli) (Eddy 2011, p 17). In the case of adult infection, the condition may stem from various causes, including the infection from the E. coli. Among other causes of the condition of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in adults is taking particular types of medication, which then results in dysfunctional kidneys, another infection that affects the lymphatic system and pregnancy. In this case, the pregnancy basis is of concern as the patient presented in the case study developed several symptoms and conditions that linked the condition to a severe case of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. The patient suffered significantly as the maternity reports show that the delivery did not have any complications. Thus, in this case, it is essential to evaluate the conditions she suffered thereafter with respect to her initial pregnan cy status and the process of her delivery. This will aid to establish whether the case is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and the therapeutic options available for management of the condition for the patient. In view of the patient and the condition of Oliguria with Protenuria, several aspects connect the condition of the patient to the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, considering that she was coming from the maternity. The factors of pregnancy that relate to the resulting of Oliguria in pregnancy are diverse. For instance, the patient during the process of delivery may suffer excessive loss of body fluid. In such

Food Policy Reform in Schools Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Food Policy Reform in Schools - Research Paper Example For the lower socioeconomic groups, the food is free, whereas for the upper group children, it is provided at a cost but a subsidized rate. The main objective of the program is to deliver a healthy and nutritious diet for children at school and to develop good eating habits and promote healthy eating practices during the growing period when nutrition is utmost important for the development of the child (USDA 2008). More than 94% of the schools have subscribed to the NSLP and this is provided under the National School Lunch Act 1946 that was adopted as a policy by the Harry Truman Administration. About 17% of the federal budget meant for food and nutrition assistance programs actually goes to the NSLP (USDA 2008). During the implementation and development of the program initially in the 1940’s and the 1950’s, greater effort was being laid on addressing poverty, starvation and malnutrition in children. However, today, the concern is much different, and seems to be an equa l challenge that was present during the baby days of the NSLP. There is a growing concern of obesity and being overweight in children, especially in the lower socioeconomic groups who find it difficult to address their health needs (Rogers 2010). The NSLP was earlier meant to help children who were eating a diet at home to eat more and to meet their higher calorie and protein demand. Besides, there are children coming from diverse family backgrounds having diverse food nutrition and food needs and it would often be difficult to cater to their tastes. Hence, it would be difficult to meet the various needs through one lunch program. There are other concerns also including the sustaining the program through the federal funding and donations may create difficulties, facing stiff competition from the junk food sector, unnecessarily creating a crunch for the agricultural produce, and outdated structure of the program. In this paper, we would analyze one of the problems faced by the NSLP, look at the viable alternatives, and develop a solution to resolve the same (US Government Accounting Office 2003). Define and analyze the problem One of the main concerns of the NSLP is that the objectives of the program may not be in line with the requirements of the children today. When the program was being implemented during its baby days, its main aim was to address malnutrition, weakness and starvation in children and provide them with a nutritious meal for at least once daily. However, today, the program is considered as a factor that is causing obesity and unhealthy eating in children, and there is a concern on the quality of foods that is currently being served via the program. There is a growing concern whether the program is worsening the effect of obesity in the population in order to support the agricultural sector. Even the poor today are no more undernourished and are facing a stiffer problem with obesity. The program is encouraging the overconsumption of energy and fats and is also increasing the amount of food being consumed by children. As children of the poor are provided by food at lower costs, they are encouraged to eat more, not helping in reducing obesity and in the process developing eating habits that would worsen the problem further in life. The child when he or she grows into an adult would be prone to several health risks including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, stroke, etc. There were concerns as to why the NSLP was

The Results of Safety Training at the Moline Plant and Recommendations Essay

The Results of Safety Training at the Moline Plant and Recommendations for Future Trainings - Essay Example As the research discovers the tendency of decrease of safety incidents was slowed down in the middle of the evaluation period, which corresponds to our pre-training expectations. In this regard, one of the most important factors that contributed to the mentioned positive trend from the very beginning of the evaluation period was the high level of employee`s motivation in relation to observance of safety rules, confirmed by the questionnaires distributed in the beginning, in the middle, and in the end of the evaluation period. The decline in the level of employee`s motivation in relation to observance of safety rules was marked in the middle of the evaluation period, which correlates with the slowed decrease of safety incidents. In this regard, the important conclusion can be drawn that for safety trainings to remain maximally effective for prolonged periods of time, they should be integrally incorporated into the work process at the Moline plant in the future. This paper stresses that building on the above-mentioned considerations, some relevant recommendations can be made as to the ways to achieve the most effective inclusion of regular safety trainings, and safety culture as such as well, to the work process at the Moline plant. Firstly, the practice of involvement of contract trainers has had mixed results and should be reevaluated. As a matter of fact, two of the four trainers received relatively low ratings from the students.

British Prime Minister Become Too Powerful Essay

British Prime Minister Become Too Powerful - Essay Example Prime minister is the party leader in the House of Commons because of rights accorded in selecting the cabinet, deciding agenda in cabinet meetings; hand out most of the departmental positions where he also chairs the parliamentary progress. The prime minister who is in the House of Commons has authorities to dismiss ministers from the house. He has power to direct and control policies for the government as the chief executive. The prime minister is ultimately accountable for policies and government decisions, he also oversees the civil service and other governmental agencies and appoints cabinet members and serves as the principal government member in the House of Commons. He or she heads the government, providing political leadership within the government cabinet system and the country at large. Its specific tasks include appointment and dismissal of government ministers, presiding over the cabinet and its committee (Dooley 172). It is also bound to set date of meetings and general elections and as well present the state in the international arena. According to Kevin Dooley (2009), the British prime minister is the most powerful voice in the British politics. The British prime minister is elected by the majority party in the House of Commons. The connection allows the British prime minister to have the ability to be actively engaged. The prime minister is ultimately accountable for policies and government decisions, he also oversees the civil service and other governmental agencies.

Law Enforcement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Law Enforcement - Essay Example Problem solving teams or quality circles 2. Self managed work teams 3.Cross functioning teams and lastly, 4. Virtual teams. (Robbins 2003, P.259). In the context of legal enforcement, the problem solving team would typically comprise of around 8 - 10 agents or officers, who would be required to crack cases and bring action for prosecution of alleged offenders and criminals. The team would be mostly within the force, and they would share methods, information and evidences, by which the guilty could be brought to the process of law. The main difficulties and drawbacks would be their inaccessibility to evidences and information from outside organization, and also their inability to get all concerned people totally involved in the case-cracking ventures. Next, it is the self-managed work teams which are independent teams which not only solve problems but also take up full responsibilities for their outcomes. They are fully involved in their works from conceptualization of their work processes till the achievement of final results. This team is fully at liberty to choose their own teams, and therefore, there is a greater degree of autonomy and transparency in their operations. However, this team is limited by the absence of functionaries from other departments and functions to participate and contribute in this team building. The third type of work teams are called cross functional teams which are ind

Movie comparison paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Movie comparison paper - Essay Example The pandemic has led to creation of many motion pictures among them, Precious (Based on the Novel â€Å"Push† by Sapphire), Longtime Companion, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Dallas Buyers Club and Parting Glances. Nonetheless, the main aim of this paper is draft a comparison between the movies The Normal Heart and Philadelphia. Well a clear similarity is that both the movies are inclined to Hiv and Aids pandemic. Both of the movies are based on an element reality and true stories. The Normal Heart is a recollection of another play that was later put into books, An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen. Ibsens play takes after a doctor who finds that the neighborhood wellbeing spa, whereupon the towns economy depends, may have polluted water in its bath. The specialist regularly stands up, distributed his discoveries in the nearby daily paper, yet the forces that be closed him down, demolishing his notoriety, marking him, every the title, an adversary of the individuals. While Ibsens play has comic components that exhibit its incongruity, The Normal Heart is an unfortunately genuine undertaking, and in the years since its first generation and the late history it performs (the early AIDS cases in New York, the establishing of GMHC and Kramers consequent expelling), its stayed excruciating. Not at all like An E nemy of the People, an anecdotal story that closures with the ruin of the genial specialist, The Normal Heart is completely genuine, and the occasions that happen after the curtain, falls toward the end of the second demonstration just demonstrate that Larry Kramer was correct the whole time. Philadelphia wasnt simply made in Philadelphia; the film was likewise made with the populace of Philadelphia. Around 50 additional items in the film had HIV, some with unmistakable indications of the infection. Makers made it a point to utilize individuals with AIDS due to the challenges they regularly confronted landing

Sex differences in response to actual infidelity. (How men and women Research Paper

Sex differences in response to actual infidelity. (How men and women react differently towards infidelity and why) - Research Paper Example The point of discussion here is how men and women behave differently when they discover that they are being cheated or their friend or spouse is being unfaithful to them. Men and women show dissimilar emotional responses to events. Their psychological differences help us understand why their responses are different. Nannini and Meyers (2000) studied the male and female response to social and emotional infidelity. They conducted their experiment on 165 women and 152 men, and examined their responses â€Å"using both Smith and Elsworth’s six cognitive dimensions of emotion and a measure of emotional upset.† They found that the gender of the victim was as important as the nature of the scenario itself, and concluded that women were more emotionally distressed when they faced infidelity than men. They state in their research that evolutionary psychologists have agreed upon another fact that there is also a big difference in the jealousy content of male and female reactions in that men are more jealous if their mates are cheating upon them. Men fear sexual infidelity and women fear emotional infidelity, and their reactions are also more limited to their areas of jealousy. Bjorklund and Shackelford (1999) had also supported this previously by stating in his research that the psychological differences and the gender roles assigned to women by the society, like caring more for children and looking after the spouse, maker her react more to emotional infidelity rather than sexual infidelity. Women tend to be more emotionally insecure than men and so they are hurt more when they fall prey to emotional infidelity by another person may he be a spouse, friend or a colleague. Men are, on the other hand, emotionally strong in nature so they are not easily moved when they undergo an emotional situation; however, they show more distress than women when they encounter sexual infidelity (Sagarin et al., 2003; Harris, 2000; Pietrzak et al., 2002). DeKay and Buss (1992 , p.184) state that evolutionary psychology shapes human psychological mechanisms and this is the difference in the functioning of these mechanisms in both sexes that makes them react differently to different situations. More of the research and literature is based on spousal infidelity. Duncombe (2004, p.106) talks about the double standards put forward by men in which they engage more often in extradyad sex than women and also do not forgive women to engage in extradyad sex. Research states that men like to and do engage in extramarital short span relationships, and also fall prey to vehement jealousy if their female counterparts do the same, and this jealousy often results in murders or murder attempts. However, there are researchers like Mead (1975) who agreed that women are the more jealous sex because they are jealous even when they are not in love while men are only jealous when they are in love. Mead states that the reason for this is the women are generally dependent on men and they do not want to lose them for the sake of their social stability and financial resources. Researchers agree that men possess low levels of anxiety and stress within them due to which their reactions to infidelity other than sexual one is not that stronger as women whose stress levels are much higher. But the case is opposite in sexual infidelity. Cann, Mangum and Wells (2001, p.185) suggest that besides evolutionary aspects of human psychology, there are also

Relationships in Second Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Relationships in Second Life - Essay Example The user has to make an account for his avatar, that is has to register, and after that these virtual worlds are accessible to them all year round at every time of the day (Heider, 47). Building up of relationships is an extremely important part of second life. Relationships can be personal or for business purposes. Relationships like in the real world are built on respect and trust in the virtual world also together with compatibility with each other. The virtual world relationships work well same as real life relationships (Mahar 164). The relationships which are connected with the virtual Second Life are like real relationships. There have been many instances where these virtual relationships have had a positive impact on people leading to success in the real life also. For example, Nina Allam was married to Sean Barbary in the second life. They had even created a virtual island for themselves to live. Allam decided to meet her Second Life partner Sean in the real life. She had be en chatting with him since February 2008 and was about to meet him in personal. The CNN article reports her emotions as anxious and terrified before meeting her virtual life partner. At one instance, she began talking to herself and thought that she could still get off the train which was heading towards the destination where her virtual partner lived. Second life is more than a virtual world as people are connected together through various relationships, like virtual marriages. In the real world, both Allam and Sean live in England. Before they first met in real, they spoke with each other on the phone and via the webcam. After meeting in personal, CNN reports that both of them have real feelings for each other. Both got married in real life and continue to live together. (CNN iReport). Sharon and Nigel also met on Second Life. They share a home in this virtual worls. CNN reports that Feebe Fearne (Sharon's Second Life avatar name) got along instantly with Nijel Charles (Nigel's av atar name) as soon as they met with each other in the virtual world of Second Life in February 2008. It was soon that they started spending a lot of time together on second life because of their compatibility. They first met in person in May 2008. In real life they only lived 80 miles far from each other. They finally got married. Paradoxically, they still want to continue with their Second Life wedding along with their real life wedding (CNN iReport). There have been many instances where various real life weddings have been encountered as a result of a second life relationship. Sharon and Nigel continue to live both their lives simultaneously as they think that it was second life which bought them together in the real life. The above examples of couples who met through second life prove that it has had a positive consequence leading to real life marriages and hence a positive impact on their real life. Second life has to do more than just impacting the real life emotions concerned with living together. For example, by selecting an avatar of opposite gender, one may experience the attitudes and emotions in the real world. Certain activities in Second Life such as team work can teach different users to work effectively which they might find difficult in the real world. Second Life is a virtual world after all and therefore the way users behave in it has little to do with real life behavior sometimes.

Much Ado About Nothing - Benedick and Beatrice Essay Example for Free

Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice Essay Benedick and Beatrice have close connections in the play, Benedick is portrayed to be a staunch bachelor, whereas Beatrice a combative character, also ironically, due to this being set in the Renaissance era, outspoken. Benedick is seen as very misogynistic. Benedick is portrayed as a misogynistic character to the audience; this is presented on multiple occasions. Benedick inquires if Claudio would, Buy Hero. The verb Buy suggests that women were seen as objects in the Renaissance era. Claudio responds to Benedick, Can the world buy such a jewel? Benedicks response also backs up the point that women were seen to be commodities in his view as he declares you can indeed buy her, and a case to put [her] it in. The noun case shows us that Benedicks views are presented to the audience about his misogynistic sentiment. Benedick states that all women shall, Pardon him. He will do himself, the right to trust none explaining that he doesnt trust women. Beatrice is presented to the audience as being a very witty character, this is shown at the masked ball where Beatrice pretends she doesnt realise that the man in the mask is Benedick. Beatrices crude comments towards Benedick such as he is the, Princes jester, a very dull fool, Incorporating a sardonic tone in order to incorporate excess agony for Benedick. Benedick is presented as a character that staunchly defends his decision to remain single, claiming he will live a bachelor forever. We can tell from the modal verb will that he is in attempt to avoid women at all costs. Benedicks explanation of a perfect women being, fair†¦virtuous†¦ rich†¦ mild is impossibly perfect, presenting him as not wanting a wife due to the fact there was no women with all these attributes in the Renaissance era therefore his status as a single man, a bachelor would remain unchallenged. Beatrice is presented as a combative and outspoken character; this is shown immediately at the beginning of the play where Beatrice challenges Benedick to an intellectual battle of wits. Beatrice inquires why Benedick is still talking, when nobody marks [him] you. The pronoun nobody reinforces her low regard for him however still ironically reveals that she is the only person still interested in what he is saying. This shows Beatrice is uncharacteristic of the Renaissance paradigm of virtue in a woman, also challenging men. In conclusion we can see the feelings regarding Beatrice and Benedick, and that they are portrayed towards the audience as argue mental towards each other. There conflicts may have a hidden meaning such as when Beatrice was the only one interested in what Benedick was saying after she referred to no one being interested. Benedick is presented to the audience as being misogynistic and a staunch bachelor however he may have deeper affections for Beatrice. Beatrice is presented to the audience as being witty, combative and outspoken however her combative attempts are to do with her inner affection for Benedick.

Effectiveness Of Mbct Against Other Approaches Psychology Essay

Effectiveness Of Mbct Against Other Approaches Psychology Essay Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is increasingly used in adult mental health treatment. Compare and contrast the effectiveness of MBCT to other approaches. Mindfulness-Based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a relatively new class-based program designed by Segal, Williams and Reasdale, 2002. The program was designed to prevent future relapse for people who suffer from major depression (Coelho, Canter, Ernst, 2007). This approach to psychological prophylaxis, based on current metacognitive concepts on information-processing, was designed based upon the integration aspects of CBT (Beck et al., 1979) and the mindfulness-based stress reduction programme (MBSR) developed by Kabat-Zinn and colleagues 1990.(REFERENNCE) Recently there has been a growth of interest in mindfulness-based psychotherapeutic approaches across a range of medical problems. Although the current empirical literature includes many methodological flaws, findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may be helpful in the treatment of several disorders such as pain, stress, anxiety, depressive relapse, and disordered eating. (Baer, 2003) Mindfulness based cognitive therapy combines the practice and clinical application of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This paper aims to explore mindfulness based cognitive therapy in terms of schema theory in contrast to Wells S-REF model. A number of theorists have raised concerns over the limitations of schema theory, and have put forward revised frameworks for the conceptualization of cognitive processing in emotional disorders. Teasdale and Bernard (1993) believe that if people think negatively then that is the consequence of depression, rather than the cause of it, and the dysfunctional attitudes during an episode return to normal after recovery. Alladin (1985) conducted a longitudinal study which provided evidence that challenged the belief that negative cognitions caused depression. The primary focus of schema theory and cognitive therapy has been on the content of thoughts and beliefs rather than the cognitive processes. However, Becks schema theory explains the content of peoples thoughts but not on the style of their thinking. For example, overcritical parents, who never praised their child for success maybe the explanation for the definitive core believe (I am a failure) through the theoretical framework of schema theory. Although the model explains the content of peoples thoughts it does not give an explanation for the development of the distinct mode of thinking, for example, only processing information that backs up the failure theme, which is, the mistakes the person has made and the goals they have not achieved. However, Wells (2000) considers that these issues are missing links between cognitive theory and therapy. It is seen that how people think is an important dimension that has implications on the maintenance of psychological disorder and recovery. (REFERENCE) Teasdale et al. (2002) investigated the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based approach in prevention and relapse. Teasdale had 145 recovered randomised depressive patients to continue only treatment as usual or to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The patients were assessed over a 60week period the results showed that, for patients with three of more depressive episodes in the past, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduced the risk of relapse, moreover, patients with only two depressive episodes sited no change. Teasdale et al. (2000) concluded that these results were clinically significant because the relapse rates of the group with the highest risk of reoccurrence had been halved. Teasdale et al. (2002) found that the combination of cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, as a result, metacognitive awareness is increased and depressive relapse is reduced. It can be seen that both approaches encourage a shift in a persons relationship with negative thoughts rather than a change of the thought itself. Despite the overall efficacy of the mindfulness approach, there are still theoretical limitations which need to be addressed which might lead clinical developments further in cognitive therapy. Baer 2003 emphasized a number of methodological problems whilst the research studies where taking place, noting that there were a major limitation to this approach. Baer criticizes the majority of studies examining the effects of mindfulness training, as they never used control groups. Moreover, TAU (treatment as usual) consisted of medical or unspecified psychotherapy approaches which does not allow the comparison of the effects of mindfulness interventions with specific psychological approaches. Bishop 2002 also questions the result from Teasdale et al. 2000 study, by stating that combining two forms of treatment together; it is difficult to draw any solid conclusions about the effectiveness of mindfulness-based approach in prevention of depressive relapse. Furthermore Bishop 2002 refers to problems with the conceptualization of mindfulness. Western descriptions up to now have been consistent with the Buddhist tradition which normally does not go beyond a descriptive nature. As of yet there have been no attempts to develop any qualities or the criteria of the mindfulness approach which have not been operationalised. Individuals experience and judge the effectiveness of mindfulness in different ways, which presents the problem of the determination of the criteria which are responsible for preventing patients from relapse and depression more difficult. Therefore the validity is in question due to the lack of evidence to support the definition of the construct. Bishop 2002 goes on to argue a conceptual definition is needed before the validity is tested. In this vein, Baer (2003) postulates the necessity of more randomized control trials to clarify whether observed effects are due to mindfulness interventions of to confounding factors such as placebo or passage of time. Furthermore, Wells (2000) criticizes the theoretical background of the mindfulness approach, the interactive cognitive sub-systems model, and states that one of its greatest limitations is the Implicational code concept and its circularity as it is difficult to define exactly what it means and where to locate implicational meaning in the information processing context. Moreover, Wells (2000) argues that the mindfulness awareness concept does not describe which component of self awareness improves or worsens emotional disorders. Wells (2000) then presents an alternative model of self-regulatory information processing (S-REF) which overcome the limitation of interactive cognitive sub-systems by using metacognition and attention in the centre of development and emotional disorders, rather than implicational meanings (e.g., ICS). Wells S-REF model is uniform with the schema theory, however it also incorporates aspects of cognitive architecture such as, regulation of attention and other components the individuals schema. The S-REF approach by Wells (2000) underlines the importance of restructuring maladaptive metacognitive beliefs as well as non metacognitive beliefs on schemas, which provides different clinical implications for cognitive behaviour therapy. New tools are then required for the restructuring of new therapeutic techniques in order to monitor and modify the metacognitive processes. An example of one of these new tools is metacognitive profiling (Wells, 2000) is to identify metacognitions like meta-beliefs, coping strategies, attention or memory that are activated in stressful situations. Wells (2000) and colleagues developed three different metacognitions questionnaires, an example of theses are , the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ) (Wells, 2000), which assess and monitor metacognitionin in patients during their treatment. Other than monitoring metacognitions, Wells (2000) presents two different techniques to restructure cognition, i.e., modify attention (Attention Training Technique (ATT) and Situational Attention Refocusing (SAR)), which have some similarity with the mindfulness approach but without the focus on meditation. The theoretical model of self-regulation mechanisms in emotional disorder developed my Wells is important for the future development of cognitive therapy. The S-REF model seems to create the missing link between cognitive theory and therapy that Wells (2000) identified and could possibly form a base for the advancement for cognitive therapy in the future (Scherer-Dickson, 2004). It would be premature to attempt to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of Mindfulness based cognitive therapy as it is still in its early days of research. Given the growing interest in MBCT is should be seen as to consider the way in which future research should be directed, and not be critical on current effectiveness of the model. (Coelho, Canter, Ernst, 2007). Evidence that is circulating gives some indication that MBCT may be effective in treating a cognitive style that is characterised with depression. Kingston et al., 2007 noted that MBCT may be useful in treatment of residual depressive symptoms, however, these findings are not due to any specific effects of MBCT. (Coelho, Canter, Ernst, 2007). Further methodological testing is still required gain more insight into the developments to give this approach an even more robust foundation (Scherer-Dickson, 2004). New models developed on the basis of findings in cognitive sciences and cognitive theories about information processing and emotional processing (see Rachmann, 1980; Teasdale, 1999b) seem to have a major impact on the understanding of the development and maintenance of emotional disorders. The new models of cognitive processing do have clinical implications for cognitive therapy that goes beyond the framework of Becks schema theory (Beck et al., 1979). Apart from the development for prevention of relapse of depression with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, Wells (2000) has gone on further to develop metacognitive aspects of emotional disorders. On looking at the models and theories outlined in this essay, changing the relationship that people have with the way they think, instead of changing the content of those thou ghts, has a major impact on therapy outcomes and relapse prevention (Schere- Dickson, 2004). It is clear to see that Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression is a cost-effective treatment programme for prevention of relapse. It goes on to teach patients skills in which they can identify high risk situations, and change their attitude to accept the way in which they think. The programme works better for those who seem more vulnerable and enable them to break the cycle of lifelong course of recurrent depression. The high relapse rates for depression underline the importance of prophylactic treatment during periods that fall between acute depressive episodes. Group programmes, like the one presented, could have a major impact on health services as they are cost-efficient and seem to work especially well with recovered patients that are very likely to relapse. (Scherer-Dickson, 2004)

The Grapes of Wrath Analysis

The Grapes of Wrath Analysis The Grapes of Wrath, describes the difficulty of migrant labors during the Great Depression. Written by, John Steinbeck, this novel went on to receive many awards. Generally viewed as Steinbecks best and most striving novel, The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939. Stating the story of an expelled Oklahoma family and their fight to form a reestablished life in California at the peak of the Great Depression, the book captures the sorrow and anguish of the land throughout this time-period. The bank forecloses on the Joads land, so they decide to move west in search of new jobs. Though the Joads travel west in expectations of creating a restored life, the American Dream avoids them, their journey to California proves to be sorrowful and disappointing. Though they find some comfort in a camp and eventually get jobs, the life they dream of has only slipped further away. The parallels between John Steinbecks life and the narrative story he carved are apparent and distinct. Steinbeck used imagery to paint a picture of current world situations that were going on in his life during the 1930s. His goal in writing this novel was to paint a picture and make his readers experience the life of the Dust Bowl immigrants. Though not a Dust Bowl immigrant himself, he spent a lot of time with them and got to know their anguish well. From the first chapters, to the unforgettable ending, The Grapes of Wrath remains a debated work in critical discussions, with themes and a setting that are uniquely American Beginning to write the novel in the mid to late 1930s, Steinbeck was surrounded by poverty, and hardship, and as are the Joads in the novel. Steinbeck modeled the setting to represent how things really were for migrant workers during this period. The Grapes of Wrath takes place during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. After being released from jail, protagonist, Tom Joad, quickly realizes that his familys farm has been repossessed by the bank. Tom finds the family at Uncle Johns home as they get ready for a long journey to California in search of work, a journey numerous desperate families are also taking. Route 66 provides the transportation by which the migrants will arrive to California. It is the path of a people in flight, refugees from dust and shrinking land, from the thunder of tractors and shrinking ownership,. from the floods that bring no richness to the land and steal what little richness is there (Steinbeck 118).In California, there was a Hooverville on the edge of every t own, where migrant individuals camp all together and care for one another (Steinbeck 234). The Joads experience the surroundings of a Hooverville when they cross the desert into California, There was no order in the camp; little gray tents, shacks, cars were scattered about at random (241). Steinbeck was inspired to write the novel after researching and producing a series of articles for the San Francisco News about migrant workers in California (Conder 248). Throughout the 1930s, due to drought and years of agriculture without crop rotation or other destruction prevention, severe dust storms blew away the lives of many in many areas of the central plains, which developed into what is known as the, Dust Bowl. Tied with the economic catastrophe of the Great Depression, this crisis forced thousands of people, many of them agriculturalists, off their property, wandering from place to place in hunt of work to survive. Several of these people, attracted by promises of opportunity, moved to California. Although they were from several states, the term Okie coined for a native of Oklahoma, one of the hardest-hit areas was attached to the waves of families desperately heading West, their few remaining possessions piled high on old, barely operating vehicles. Those who made it to California found little work, poor living conditions, a great deal of resentment and prejudice, and even violence directed against them.(The Grapes of Wrath) John Steinbeck formed a fictional plot using current realities of the Dust Bowl. The exposition begins when Tom gets out of jail for good behavior and he realizes that everything he left was now different and his family is absent as well. The conflict arises when, Tom is out on parole, and he strictly cannot leave Oklahoma. However, his family is planning to move to California, where a government program offers a beautiful future for emigrant sharecroppers. The entire family and Casy, a longtime family friend, fit into a small truck to travel across the country. The rising action occurs when, the Joads set off for California, where many others are migrating west. As the Joads drive on, they begin to hear rumors that there arent enough jobs in California. The climax is revealed when they arrive in California. As they go from place to place, searching for work, Casy, former reverend and current friend of Toms, leads a strike against the owners of Weedpatch, which in conclusion costs hi m his life. Tom spurs to lead the people, but the Joads must leave again when Tom thoughtlessly kills the corrupt policeman who murdered Casy. The falling action is seen when the Joads move onto a cotton-picking field where Tom hides out until his wounds are healed from the conflict. The resolution occurs when the Joads come to a farm where they find a barn. Inside the barn, they find a young boy and a man. They are sick from starving, and the man is not able to eat solid foods anymore without getting ill. Rose of Sharon gives the fading man her breast, which has milk from her recent birth, and comforts him with a blanket. They are all strangely at peace. The push for writing The Grapes of Wrath came out of John Steinbecks involvement of studying and publishing Harvest Gypsies, a seven-part San Francisco News series about the plight of agricultural migrant workers in California (Steinbecks Use). While leading that research, Steinbeck met and traveled with a man named Tom Collins, the manager of the Arvin Migrant Camp (informally known as Weedpatch Camp) (Steinbecks Use). The relationship Steinbeck formed with Collins grew between 1936 and 1938, when the two began traveling over the San Joaquin valley to gather information and offer aid to migrant families in crisis. He wrote about the Okie exodus by the seat of his pants, as it happened (OConnell 60). The Associated Farmers of California terminated the book as a pack of lies and communist propaganda' (The Grapes of Wrath). Steinbeck was put under surveillance of the FBI and received many death threats. The book was banned in many libraries and copies were burned in towns across The Un ited States (Conder 248). Steinbecks speech, is found in Tom Joad, the novels protagonist. ( McCarthy) Tom Joad is the novels protagonist .Joad is first seen coming home to Oklahoma after jail time for killing a man in a brawl, only to find an overcome land with local farms being repossessed by the banks. Tom and his family begin on their trek to California over highway 66. Tom Joad, Steinbecks figure of smoldering witness, the passive observer turned violent activist and communitarian conscience, has been grabbed by figures right and left to stand for something, represent something, or, in recent vintage, to represent nothing at all, rendered void of the political meaning deliberately invested in him by John Steinbeck (and others) (Simon and Deverell 181). Through Tom Joad, Steinbeck builds anger and a sense of injustice over the migrants misery. (McCarthy) Rose of Sharon is always watching out for the greatest interests of her unborn child and its seems to symbolize motherly instinct and protection. Steinbeck departs from strictly Biblical imagery in portraying Rose of Sharon as an earth mother. (Rombold 161). Her natural protective nature over her baby, makes it even more heartrending when it is delivered as a stillborn. By letting the stillborn child go upon the waters in its apple box, Uncle John inverts the story of baby Moses let go in a basket upon the Nile (Rombold 160). The symbolism of the earth mother is also a strong context within which to understand the final scene (Rombold 162). Steinbeck ends the novel by having Rose of Sharon nurse a dying man from her breast. Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously (Steinbeck 455). A symbol of hope is understood through Rose of Sharons fostering actions in reviving the s tarving man. By ending the novel this way, Steinbeck continues his literary references to the Bible as it provides symbolic resurrection of humanity and steps towards societies regrowth ( Taliawaite). Jim Casy is an ex-preacher who knew the Joads as far back as Toms childhood, claims that he has totally given up preaching I aint preachin no more. (Steinbeck 20). Casy now places his faith in the astonishing power of human spirit. Steinbeck is representing Casey as a parallel to Jesus as his character carries optimism to the people that are in misery (Taliawaite). A more literal similarity that Steinbeck indicates to is his name, Jim Casey, which fatefully, has the same initials as Jesus Christ. I aint sayin Im like Jesus. But I got tired like Him, an I got mixed up like Him, an I went into the wilderness like Him. (Steinbeck 81). Although he still did not believe himself to be a preacher, he had the courage to stand up to the corruption and the unfairness. Casey planned on leading the people in a strike that would help the laborers attain reasonable wages however he gets murdered during the objection. The preacher, ony he was a-leadin the strike. They come for him. They killed im . Busted his head (Steinbeck 390). Like Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross, Caseys death is a sacrifice for the wellbeing of others. Caseys last words were You don know what youre a-doin (Steinbeck 386) which can be paralleled to Jesus last words. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24) (Rombold 157). Casey dies with honor and self-respect, as Jesus did. John Steinbeck says that in growing up he absorbed the Bible through his skin (Rombold 146). Characters from the book mimic real life people suffering through the Depression. They had a reason to believe that there was a higher power watching over them during this time of hardship (Rombold 146). While Steinbeck used Biblical references, he chooses to keep God as an absent character, For Steinbeck, the people themselves are the agents of change and the parties responsible for action. His use of Biblical allusions which generalize and deepen the Joads experience within the tradition of the mythos, place this novel within a very broad context. (Rombold 147). Readers were shocked by the notion of neglecting God, but they had to consider the source, and learned to accept that it was Steinbecks (Rombold146). Land and place are so more than just passive settings in The Grapes of Wrath. A mans connection to land is a very important theme, Mans love of the land, his need not so much to own it as to embrace it, to sink his hands and feet in it, to cry for joy when the corn is peeking through and to sleep like a dead man when the last load is in the silo- this is the strongest force in the book (OConnell 59). Despite the ruggedness of the landscape, it develops the backdrop in contradiction of a wide range of human concern. Famers and country men had a very strong relationship to the property they grew to know. When they lose their land, the Joads not only lose their means of support, but they also lose their home. California is supposed to be a land flowing with milk and honey, a place of chance and change(McCarthy). For a farmer, land is opportunity, and therefore land is money. The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck endorses the philosophy that economic, legal, religious, and societal forces large ly control individual destiny, but lays out a philosophy to rise above those forces and achieve personal freedom (Conder 260). The American dream is unattainable to immigrants. In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck often challenges whether or not California is the, promise land. He questioned if the whole thing of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are achievable. For so many, the American Dream is a capitalist dream. Instead, Steinbeck, through his characters and themes, sought the dream of unity and compassion. Through Jim Casy and Tom Joad, it is seen that their passion lays in standing up for what is right, rather than sitting back and taking the hit. But that wasnt always the case for them, towards the beginning of the novel, all of them were eager to reach this so called, promise land. But eventually, they came to the realization that they were indeed just chasing an unrealistic dream. The Joad family is leading down something of a problematic golden road- a path of escape from destitution to an ambiguous Californian deliverance. when the only option becomes putting the family on the road to a str ange and unknown destination, problems are compounded (Spangler). The Joads persistent letdown to find supportive work and pay led to economic decay, lessening the likelihood that the American Dream would come to completion. Arthur G. Neal stated, [the] economic hardships after the Great Depression fell disproportionately on the family unit (Spangler). Throughout all the economic struggle and failures on finding the American Dream, the Joads managed to stick together through the triumph. John Steinbeck emphasized the theme of the unattainable American Dream; however, he added in that maybe people can achieve their own dream just by sticking together and never giving up. From the Joad family leaving Oklahoma, to the struggles in California, The Grapes of Wrath remains a moving and an extremely well written piece of art. The plot, setting, and characters are very expressive, and Steinbecks fascinating writing techniques give the themes of the book a distinct feel. The parallels between John Steinbecks life and the narrative story he carved are apparent and distinct. Throughout the 1930s, real people with real problems faced issues like what the Joad faced. John Steinbeck wrote a brilliant piece work in expressing the economic and emotional anguish the Oakies experienced. Chronology February 27,1902- John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California. He was the third of four children and the only son of John Ernst II and Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. He spent his childhood in the Salinas Valley (John Steinbeck). 1919- Steinbeck attended classes at Stanford University, and left without a degree. During these years Steinbeck dropped out for several months, and was employed intermittently as a sales clerk, farm laborer, ranch hand, and factory worker (John Steinbeck). January 14,1930- John Steinbeck marries Carol Henning (John Steinbeck). Winter of 1934- He gathered information on farm labor unions. Interviews labor organizer in Seaside(John Steinbeck). April 1939-  The Grapes of Wrath, was published by Viking (John Steinbeck). Spring of 1941- He separated from Carol; fall, later he moves to New York City with singer Gwyndolyn Conger (John Steinbeck). 1943- He marries Gwyn Conger in New Orleans (John Steinbeck). August 2, 1944- birth of first son, Thom (John Steinbeck). June 12, 1946 birth of second son, John IV (John Steinbeck). September 14, 1964- presented with United States Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon B. Johnson (John Steinbeck). December 20, 1968- dies of arteriosclerosis in New York (John Steinbeck). Work Cited Conder, J John. Grapes of Wrath. Literary Themes for Students, Vol. 1, edited by Anne Marie  Hacht, 2007, pp. 248-263. John Steinbeck: A Brief Chronology. Monterey County Historical Society, Local History  Pages, Montrerey Country Historical Society , 2010, mchsmuseum.com/steinbeckchronology.html. Date accessed 8 January, 2017. McCarthy, Paul. John Steinbeck. Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Sharon R.  Gunton, vol. 21, Gale, 1982. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=LitRCsw=wu=pikev=2.1id=GALE%7CH1100000796it=rasid=427c16e5f57e22fd0bc6c3cbf3811a0c. Originally published in John Steinbeck, by Paul McCarthy, Ungar, 1980. Date accessed 9 Nov, 2016. OConnel, Mike. An American Farmer Looks at The Grapes of Wrath. The Steinbeck  Review, vol. 6, no. 2, 2009, pp. 56-63. www.jstor.org/stable/41582115. Date accessed November 14, 2016. Rombold, Tamara. Biblical Inversion in The Grapes of Wrath. College Literature, vol. 14,  no. 2, 1987, pp. 146-166. www.jstor.org/stable/25111734. . Date accessed November 19, 2016. Simon, Bryant, and William Deverell. Come Back, Tom Joad: Thoughts on a California  Dreamer. California History, vol. 79, no. 4, 2000, pp. 180-191. www.jstor.org/stable/25463704. Date accessed November 10, 2016 Spangler, Jason. WeRe on a Road to Nowhere: Steinbeck, Kerouac, and the Legacy of the  Great Depression. Studies in the Novel, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 19 Feb. 2009, muse.jhu.edu/article/259422. Accessed 14 Feb. 2017. Steinbecks Use of Nonfiction Sources in The Grapes of Wrath | EDSITEment.  EDSITEment! The Best of the Humanities on the Web, 17 Sept. 2012, edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/steinbecks-use-nonfiction-sources-grapes-wrath#sect-introduction. Date accessed 16 January, 2017. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York, NY, Penguin Group, 2006. Taliawaite. A Look at Biblical Allusions. The Angry Grapes, 1 Dec. 2012,  taliawaite.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/did-you-know-a-look-at-biblical-allusions/. Date accessed 5 December, 2016. The Grapes of Wrath: 10 Surprising Facts about John Steinbecks Novel . The Telegraph,  Telegraph Media Group, www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/john-steinbeck-grapes-of-wrath-what-you-should-know/. Date accessed 10 December, 2016.

Graffiti is a Beautiful Crime Essay example -- Argumentative Persuasiv

Graffiti is a Beautiful Crime Graffiti is a form of art that people use to express themselves and to convey various messages to people in a particular community. In the movie "Graffiti Verite':. One of the graffiti artist explained that his purpose in doing graffiti is that it allows him to "express his anger' on the wall. Another kid by the name of "Jipsie" said that graffiti is a "form of growth". There were several different explanations that artists shared as well as several different reasons why they like graffiti. The common theme among the graffiti artist and taggers was that graffiti is simply a form of self-expression (Bryan). At the end of the film one tagger made a comment and said, "graffiti is not vandalism, but it is a beautiful crime". This comment did not make sense to me. Committing a crime, a hideous act, is not a beautiful thing to do by any means. Graffiti does not mean people can go around and draw and spray paint on other peoples property. Regardless of what types of graffiti are being expre ssed by the tagger, this type of self expression is considered vandalism when people decide to draw, destroy, or violate any persons property without consent. As a result of taggers committing the crime of vandalism, property owners, concerned citizens, and law enforcement officers spend too much time, money, and energy trying to put an end to the unlawful act of vandalism. Looking from the taggers' point of view, one can understand why taggers and graffiti artists draw and do graffiti, but this does not justify the fact that often times this form of self-expression is not acceptable when it is done on other peoples property. Having the opportunity to listen (film, class, talk show) to why taggers and graf... ...erent meanings and different types of self-expression. "The simplified imagery of graffiti has become attractive to certain professional fine artists in various areas around the world" (Philips). The point that I am making is that various forms of graffiti are beautiful and the need to express ones' self is part of what being a human being is all about. I don't see a problem with the reasoning behind why graffiti artists do graffiti and why taggers tag. It becomes a problem when they use other people's property (including public and city property) to express themselves via graffiti and tagging. Work Cited Bryan, Bob "Graffiti Verite'" (Movie), 1996. Epstein, Edward. "SF Takes on Urban Scrawl". San Francisco Chronicle April 1, 1999. A17, A22. Philips, Susan A. Graffita Defanition: The Dictionary of Art. London: Macmillan Publisher. On press), 1996.

Ghost Story of the Green Rat Essay -- Ghost Stories Urban Legends

The Green Rat This story was first told to me and my older brother by my uncle when we were still relatively young children (about 4 and 8 years old). We were riding in the car and he was telling the story to entertain and scare us. At the time he was in his mid-30s and living in Olney, MD, as were we. He called the story â€Å"The Green Rat,† and after I talked to him about the story, he said that it was a scary tale that he first heard on a camping trip with the Boy Scouts in California when he was in 7th grade (approximately 1966 when he was about 12 years old). Four kids stayed overnight in a supposedly haunted house. [Here the teller made his description of the house match one of the older houses in my neighborhood (the house was historical, the neighborhood was relatively new)]. On a dare. In one of the rooms, there was a creepy painting of the green rat with a ball and chain on one of its legs. The boys thought they were really tough and chose to stay in separate bedrooms--one may have stayed in the room with the painting. Part way through the night, the boys heard a chain being drug along the floor. [Teller makes a chain noise and later remarks that one time when he recorded the story for one of our cousin’s he used an actual chain to make the sound.] There was a scream [Teller screams] along with the sound of someone being attacked. [Quietly] When the noise subsided, the boys came out of their rooms to find one of them missing--[pause] it was the boy who was in the room with painting. They went to check in the room and noticed that the eyes of the green rat in the painting were now glowing and there seemed to be a little blood around its mouth. There was now a skull in the corner of the picture of the green... ...house with my friends. Works Cited Anonymous. â€Å"The Clown Doll: An Urban Legend.† University of Maryland Legends Collection. Accessed 4/01/06. http://www.wam.umd.edu/~dschloss/Legends/clown.htm. Brunvand, Jan Harold. Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. New York: W. W. Norton, 2001. Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends & Their Meanings. New York: W. W. Norton, 1981. Eeeek-NET! Designed and Maintained by Kryss.com Web Services. 2000-2006. Accessed 4/01/06. http://www.eeeek.com/true_stories1.html. Ellis, Bill. â€Å"Adolescent Legend-Tripping,† in Psychology Today. August 1983. 68-69. Thompson, Stith. Motif-Index of Folk-Literature: A Classification of Narrative Elements in Folktales, Ballads, Myths, Fables, Mediaeval Romances, Exempla, Fabliaux, Jest-Books, and Local Legends. Indiana University. 6 vols. 1955-1958.

Effects of Technology Essay

The advent and development of computer technology through the past three decades may be the most important and revolutionary technology ever invented in history. It has completely changed the way people do things, from interpersonal communication to professional transactions. Computers have affected the cultures of families, friends, offices, academes and even states and countries. The effect of computer technology can be felt starting with the most basic social institution, the family. The personal computer has become a regular fixture in millions of homes around the world as much as the television or the couch. Some families even own more than one computer units. Of course, the statistics would be lower among less developed countries. Nevertheless, an effect of the prevalence of the personal computer is that it has become more and more affordable. For third world countries, the idea of catching up has also come to mean being competitive when it comes to computer literacy compared to developed countries. Parents use the computer to surf the Net, look for job-related information or anything that interests them like news or hobby sites. The children use the computer as aid in making assignments and research, playing video games or make friends they won’t ever see in person through the chat rooms. Outside the home, the influence of computers is felt much more. Offices cannot survive without computers as they are used for word processing, calculations, presentations, and other tasks. Internet technology, an offshoot of computers, has created a thriving electronic-based commerce which has made millionaires out of people whose capital has been their mere creative minds. Other activities that before were done without computers are now computer aided. Automated banking has made banking and bill payments possible even outside office hours. People can shop online using their credit cards without the hassle of crowds and miles of walking inside malls just to find the perfect shirt or gift. Government agencies keep voluminous records and provide computer-aided services making it possible to make transactions with the public even without the latter’s physical appearance. Like all technologies, the computer has its downsides, too. For instance, it has caused concern regarding the privacy of people as with the interconnectedness of networks in cyberspace it has become easy to look for information about anybody. Another is that computers, being machines, break down. Since people have grown dependent to this machine, a crash or malfunction of computers especially those doing tasks which a lot of people depend on (like ATMs when they go offline or very important data that suddenly become irretrievable with a crash) could result to a lot of frustration and anxiety. Computer technology has also created computer addicts and affected the health and social skills of some people who would rather sit in front of a monitor than interact with humans or play ball outside. Computer technology has become so prevalent and people and nations have become dependent to it so much so that in modern times it has become unimaginable to survive without computers. The future is going to be defined by how fast and how far computer technology is going to take humankind and to be computer-illiterate in this modern world is to be left behind in the past.