Saturday, August 31, 2019

Choque cultural

When we think about traveling, we don't usually think about the â€Å"side effects† that it might have. Now, I'm going to talk about one of them that is called â€Å"culture shock† and try to connect with the experience I had abroad. Culture shock Is a subject that's been studied for many psychologists and can be defined as a feeling of uncertainty, confusion or anxiety that people experience when they live In or visit a different culture. In the studies they classified that In five stages.The first stage Is known as â€Å"honeymoon† In this period of time Is when you first arrive abroad and everything Is new excellent and kind of strange, you want to see the different social norms, try the weird new food and get Into the modes of conversation of the new culture, In this period you might even suffer from the time difference and you body can feel it, but you are excited the discover what that new place has to offer to you. This stage can last for a long while, bec ause it might seem as an adventure.However, the second stage can be a little bit harder, because in this stage is the erred that you kind of settled down into that new world, it's the time you can have problems because of the language barrier or with the rules of the house, if you live in a homesteads then you also start realizing certain things when you start having your tasks, such as working and studying; if you live by yourself you have to do all the housework, like cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, doing groceries.. TCL, In the same stage, you start missing your family friends and things from your house, it might happen even more if you are not welcome in the place you are staying.Something that shouldn't be a problem for you if you were in your homeland, now that you are abroad, it is going to be a problem, and because of this you may develop unhealthy habits (like smoking/ drinking too much, or being so concerned over food or contact with people from that culture) sometimes w hen it's really hard to the people deal with this shock, they may even get sick or have healthy problems, and it may make them want to go back to their own culture or even spend their time with people from their own culture .This is known as the rejection stage. The third stage Is called the adjustment stage. It happens when you start realizing that all those bad things that happened before were not so bad. In this stage you realize that you â€Å"grew up†, you start feeling stronger, you basically can take care of yourself without â€Å"much help† you fell really Independent. The fourth stage Is called â€Å"at ease at last† In this stage, you feel as If you are home, feeling comfortable, you can face strongly with the problems you might have and you will know how to deal and solve them.In this stage you are able to even give advice to people from your country that has Just arrived abroad. The fifth and last stage of culture shock, Is not really known, It Is ca lled reverse culture shock, which for me was the hardest! You suffer of that when you go back to you own culture, and realize that you have changed and the things there as well. You feel a fish out of the water. All the simple things that were k before you left, now are a problem or you have difficult to adapt yourself again.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Personal Learning Profile Essay

B. How I Use First, Use as Needed, or Avoid Sequence (Write a paragraph of four to five sentences describing the degree to which you use this Pattern.) Sequence is a routine of my life, I use it lot weather it is good or bad. I feel the need to follow a plan. I also need to have a clear explanation of what I’m expected to do. At work I am usually the one that needs to write out a plan of how am going to execute it before doing so than follow up with consist review of instruction to make sure accurate. These sometimes becomes very time consuming as I am always needing more time to ensure I get things done right the first time around. I cannot relax or focus on other things when everything is in chaotic. I feel  cutter anything equals to clutter mind. Being organized is one step I think necessary in becoming a successful student. C. How I Use First, Use as Needed, or Avoid Precision (Write a paragraph of four to five sentences describing the degree to which you use this Pattern.) Precision another pattern I use first. I tend to have the need to have the correct information. I do not like making mistakes and I ask a lot of questions in order to obtain more information. I like it when I am given detailed answers about what is going on. I with anything give to me I immediately jumped onto the internet to search for additional information to learn and better understand. In school tend to the most because of learning disability it has driven me to always not want to make mistakes and if I can avoid it by asking questions that will give me the information why not. D. How I Use First, Use as Needed, or Avoid Technical Reasoning (Write a paragraph of four to five sentences describing the degree to which you use this Pattern.) Technical reasoning I use as needed to figure things out alone but do not avoid interactions with others. I do not like people to tell me how to do things or how to fix it. I like to figure it out myself if gives me a sense of accomplishment. I would say that I am pretty good with figuring out most things and will navigate through it until; I have learned how to use it. How I Use First, Use as Needed, or Avoid Confluence (Write a paragraph of four to five sentences describing the degree to which you use this Pattern.) I use Confluence as needed ad I like exploring new things, new ideas, and new places. When it comes down to it I like to do new things it excites me and interest me .I like to learn more and that is just in everyday life whether it be a new way to cook something or visiting new places. I am not a big risk taker though. I will only take risk when the outcome outweighs it. I function with rely of being in certain pattern and schedule.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

So, You Say you’re Against Mercy Killing

So, You Say you're Against Mercy Killing†¦. Abstract This paper examines three sources of information regarding the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and throughout the wait for evacuation. It explores the ethical dilemmas of those left to care for the sick. The main issue, mercy killing, was foisted upon some of the staff with the added stressors of very little sleep, food, relief staff, or aid from governmental agencies.The sources are used in a deliberate attempt to read between the lines of how perceptions and memories may have been affected over time as well as the self-preservation and rotection sought from those in charge. Keywords: ethical dilemma, mercy killing I wrestled wit n the issues involved in this story. I always prided myselt as an absolutist. I have always felt mercy killing to be wrong unequivocally. I saw it as a way to dispose of the unwanted of society. I was always reminded of the infamous name whenever the term mercy kil ling would be uttered and that is the name most people associate with the term; Hitler.He used that excuse to exterminate 6 million innocent people. To hear the word made me physically ill. That's why I wrestled with the ethical issues in this article to the degree in which I did. This was not an easy account to come to grips with. After reading the events that transpired I have come to a partial change of heart. In late August 2005 the staff at Memorial Hospital, owned by Tenet Hospitals in Houston, was braced to weather the storm. They had weathered hurricanes before and they thought they were braced for it. I don't think anyone could be prepared for what was about to ensue.The rain and winds hurled their attacks, but the hospital stood strong. The people of the community that used the hospital as their fortress were safe and sound. All was relatively calm until the following day. That is when all hell broke loose. Decisions were made that are hard to delineate as moral or immoral . There were no easy answers. I don't think there were any hard answers. There were Just impossible dilemmas with equally impossible answers. One year after the hurricane, it would be front page news that two nurses and a well-known physician would be arrested for second degree murder. 5 people died at Memorial Hospital that week and 17 of them had been injected with morphine or midazolam or both. There is a plethora of characters involved in this story and all had a different part to play, in what some say was easing suffering atients' pain, and others would call mercy killing. To get a clearer picture of this incident, you will need to be introduced to the main characters. Dr. Pou was a head and neck cancer surgeon who was later arrested on 2nd degree murder charges for euthanizing 4 patients. Fink, 2009) Richard Deichmann was a newly promoted administrator who helped oversee the physicians during the crisis and was instrumental in the decision to evacuate patients with a terminal illness or a DNR status last. Susan Mulderick was the rotating â€Å"emergency-incident commander† and nursing director that also participated in â€Å"medicating† patients that were not thought o survive. Diane Robichaux was the incident commander for LifeCare Hospital. She advocated tor the evacuation ot ner patients . LiteCare leased the seventh tloor ot Memorial and cared for long term sub-acute patients.Therese Mendez, a LifeCare nurse executive, complied with requests to dismiss her staff knowing her patients were going to be euthanized. Steven Harris was the LifeCare pharmacist who provided Dr. Pou with additional morphine and a strong anti-anxiety medication, midazolam. Ewing Cook was a pulmonologist who euthanized the first patient and instructed Dr. Pou how much â€Å"medication† to give to â€Å"ease the patient's suffering. † Cheri Landry and Lori Budo were ICU nurses that agreed with other staff members that the last LifeCare patients left o n the floor should be euthanized.They were arrested with Pou, but also not indicted. I am a logical person. Two and two make four. In reading the account of what happened after Katrina, I am full of questions. Many of which are never answered by the New York Times article or any of the sources I have found. The more I explore the circumstances of this unfolding story and read between the lines, the more morally outraged I become about what appened and didn't have to as well as the blame game that seems to have ensued. As the story goes, from the accounts reported in the Times piece, all hell broke loose in New Orleans after the storm.

Critique of a Qualitative Research Report Paper

Critique of a Qualitative Report - Research Paper Example Introduction The problem is well defined in the introduction and is based on empirical evidence. The problem stated is easy to understand as it is based not on assumptions but on statistical data. The problem taken in to consideration is of medication errors which, though, have been studied before, lack data on which the problem can be fixed of modified. The rationale for the research is based on solid empirical grounds since the gap between the review of the literature is clearly identified. The limitations of the previous researches are also clearly presented making the argument for the present research a strong one. The problem is a significant one for the nursing profession as it has been found that at least one medication error occurs every day for every hospitalized patient (Institute of Medicine, 2006). The characteristics of the nursing unit are explored in particular and so the findings of the research can be applied in the nursing profession improving nursing practices. Mor eover, the antecedents of both severe and non-severe medication errors and so the error prevention or modification models can be designed and applied based on priority of the errors. Hypotheses or Research Questions The purpose of the study is clearly stated in the beginning of the research, i.e. to investigate if differences in antecedents of severe and non-severe medication errors exist (Chang & Mark, 2009). Both these types of errors were investigated separately. Though the purpose of the research is stated clearly, it lacks research questions. The measures to be investigated are derived from previous researches and then data is collected on these measures. The data collecting method and procedure and the sample size is also explained under separate headings. However, the criterion used to select the sample size is not explained that well and is summarized in two brief paragraphs and does not explain why the selected data collection tools were used over other options. The indepen dent and dependent variables, on the other hand, are clearly specified under different headings. For instance, each independent variable is separately explained i.e., how it is defined and how data is collected for each variable, for e.g. the health status of the patients was defined as the perception of the patients of their health and the data for it was collected by asking patients to rate their health on a five point Likert scale (Chang & Mark, 2009). The literature review is also consistent with the research purpose as it provided the basis for variables that investigated in the research. Literature Review The literature review used for the research includes latest data that was available at the time of the research. Though older researches are also used, i.e. going back to 1979, these researches are only used as supporting evidence along with other recent researches. Moreover, the researches included in the literature review are based on primary data collected for specific pur poses. The review of the literature also provides a solid ground for a new study and the previous studies focus on medication errors as a whole in a retrospective manner and do not differentiate between non-severe errors that can be overlooked from severe errors that may result in severe physical and psychological injury, and even death at times. It is thus important to separate these factors from each other so appropriate actions can be taken. Conceptual/Theoretical Work The researchers have

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Disparities in Health Care and African Americans Distrust in Essay

Disparities in Health Care and African Americans Distrust in Physicians - Essay Example Susan., Jenny, K. Miller and Lily, A. Arasatnam, 2003). Disparities are also seen in the unwillingness of African Americans to participate in clinical trials due to distrust (Giselle, Stephen and Diane, 2002).Research has also shown that African Americans seek treatments less frequently than the whites, they are also less likely to accept physicians at the end of life due to views that there is nothing that can be done. As a result, African Americans have a larger share of the burden linked to mental illness and other diseases. They are also resistant to accept decisions that save life as they do not trust physicians to promote their best interests at the end of life care (Siminoff and Robert, 1997).Studies have also shown that, if an African American patient pays a visit to a white physicians, there is less involvement in decision making, less partnership, lower rates of trust and lower levers of satisfaction in the care (LaVeist, Kim, and Janius, 2000).Lack of treatment may be due to absence of resources, insurance obstacles, cultural believes, attitudes and mistrust in the health care institutions. Disparity in health care is also due to lack of knowledge among the African Americans hence they have misconceptions which may preclude them from adopting such medications as viable forms of treatment (Schnittker, 2004).Such misconceptions includes the belief that treatments are ‘experimentally’ or mind altering. Studies have also shown that religious orientations can also reduce the willingness to take Psychiatric medications especially if they are deemed as ineffective in comparison to divine influence (Schnittker, 2004). Trust is also very important for all medical decisions such as using Psychiatric medications and adherence to medical regimens. Trust plays a very critical role in those cultures that have indigenous traditions that are contrary to treatment methods. It is therefore an important component of physician-patient

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

What leadership styles dominate the Chinese market Essay

What leadership styles dominate the Chinese market - Essay Example This paper aims to determine which leadership style is the most suitable for companies in China as it is the leadership style of a manager coupled with organizational culture that determines the employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Leadership styles are employed by managers to suit the needs of the people and the organization that is being led. It is almost always a mix of the six leadership styles: visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pace-setting and commanding, that today’s leaders practice in successfully leading their teams. These styles are adopted by the leader either individually or as a mix of more than one style, within the context of the people and organizational needs at that moment. The success with which leaders adopt the different styles, to what extent each style has its influence on employee performance and job satisfaction and how the organizational culture affects the job satisfaction and organizational commitment by the employee will be explored. Further, it will also be understood as to the shelf life of each style or if the adopted style is applicable to all situations and sectors in Chinese organizations. Finally, qualitative analysis of available literature in published journals, news articles and websites can help understand the most suitable leadership style for my business in the Chinese region that can have the maximum impact on employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. ... nies in China as it is the leadership style of a manager coupled with organizational culture that determines the employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Lok and Crawford, 2004). Leadership styles are employed by managers to suit the needs of the people and the organization that is being led. It is almost always a mix of the six leadership styles: visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pace-setting and commanding, that today’s leaders practice in successfully leading their teams. These styles are adopted by the leader either individually or as a mix of more than one style, within the context of the people and organizational needs at that moment (Murray, 2012). The success with which leaders adopt the different styles, to what extent each style has its influence on employee performance and job satisfaction and how the organizational culture affects the job satisfaction and organizational commitment by the employee will be explored. Further, it will also b e understood as to the shelf life of each style or if the adopted style is applicable to all situations and sectors in Chinese organizations. Also, it will help to understand how the leaders can effectively determine which leadership style to use under certain circumstances, and how they communicate through their style of leadership. Finally, qualitative analysis of available literature in published journals, news articles and websites can help understand the most suitable leadership style for my business in the Chinese region that can have the maximum impact on employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. 2. Literature Review a. Introduction Leadership style adopted by managers in Chinese firms has an impact on job satisfaction and commitment and leadership style is influenced by

Monday, August 26, 2019

DRAGONWINGS SUMMARY Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

DRAGONWINGS SUMMARY - Assignment Example Windrider and his son save Uncle Bright star’s son from being shot by corrupt neighborhood watchmen. Moon collects and delivers laundry to his father, but one day Black Dog, the uncle’s son beats Moon and steals money received from laundry clients. Windrider goes to an underground gang and fights Black Dog to avenge his son, in the process Moon and his father kill a man. They escape the village after the murder and plan to work for Mr. Alger. Moon and his dad move into a stable behind the house of Miss Whitlaw. The neighborhood boys are cruel to Moon, and they ridicule his English. Moon requests Miss Whitlaw to help him in writing a letter to ask the Wright brothers to help his father with plane specifications. Windrider refuses to use the specifications at first but with time he agrees. An earthquake occurs in San Francisco in 1906 and demolishes the city, and two of the family members disappear. Windrider builds a functional airplane â€Å"Dragonwings,† but Black Dog shows up and robs them off their savings. The next day the company loans Windrider lots of money. Windrider flies his plane, but in the process its frame snaps and he breaks his leg and ribs. The company helps Windrider in bringing his wife to

Sunday, August 25, 2019

A Caucasian Man Changed by the Grace of God Essay

A Caucasian Man Changed by the Grace of God - Essay Example The paper talks about my feelings and the risk of being a Christian. It talks about my personal experiences and my way of life after being changed. The paper also contains the story when I entered into my High School life. It talks about the fears I had and the things I did that made me walked away from the presence of God. It tells about how I overcame those trials and testing in my life. It talks about the result of overcoming those trials.Before the world began, everything is nothing but then God created life and light throughout the world. Whoever repents, believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be saved and will receive the great joy of being a Christian.I was young and aggressive back then when I heard the most beautiful story that I have ever heard. It is the complete, enjoyable and touching story of Jesus Christ that was delivered by a very tiny and soft voice, the voice of my Sunday school teacher. As I was hearing the story of Jesus Christ’s suffering s with thirty-nine lashes and was tortured to death, I felt like I was a lost sheep that have gone astray. I was just like a lost sheep turning and running from nowhere. But then with the realization that God will accept me because of His grace and mercy, I willingly offered my life into His hands. That was the time that I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In that very sincere prayer I uttered, I felt like I was floating on the air. I felt like I was free from any kinds of bondage. I felt like no one can defeat me because my life is already in God’s hands.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Gun Control and Second Amendment Research Paper

Gun Control and Second Amendment - Research Paper Example Instead, the paper shall give a brief history of the origins of this debate then it shall look at the extremely confusing word use on the preamble in the Second Amendment where it will highlight the strong argument points for both sides: pro-gun control and anti-gun control. However, this does not mean that the paper has taken a neutral stance because after all fact have been laid bare the main purpose of this paper is to explain why having guns in the hand of the civilian population, as good intentioned as it may be, provides a real source of danger especially to the American adolescent population at home and at school. The debate on whether or not Americans should privately own guns and the Second Amendment goes back several years though we could argue that it gained heat after the assassination of President J. F. Kennedy in 1963. After evidence from the assassination of President JFK the public became aware of the relative uncontrolled state of sale and possession of firearms in the United States. Below we provide a brief outline of possible key dates in this debate. In 1871, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is established in New York. The NRA remains as the strongest lobby group in the United States as it actively promotes the right for Americans to own firearms privately. It was founded as the American Rifle Association with the purpose of improving civilian marksmanship in preparation for war. In 1968, the Gun Control Act is enacted. This Act is used to regulate the sale of handguns, gun-dealer licensing and gun-importation. Indeed, before1968, guns were sold to any adult regardless of mental capacity or criminal record. In 1972, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is established. The ATF’s mission was to enforce the Federal firearms laws, to control the sale of firearms and to prevent illegal use of firearms. Today its mandate has expanded to include protecting American communities from arson, bombings and acts of

Friday, August 23, 2019

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Photocatalysts in Indian Medical Association Research Paper

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Photocatalysts in Indian Medical Association - Research Paper Example The ability of photocatalytic substances, for example, titanium dioxide (TiO2) to disintegrate organic contaminants in the air and water has been established by Verdier et al. as one of the methods used to kill micro-organisms. Studies by Bonetta et al. have shown that the rutile and anatase forms of TiO2 have photocatalytic activity and are active against various Gram-positive & Gram-negative bacteria, yeast and green algae such as, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Chlorella Vulgaris. There are two key traits that make TiO2 ideal in the manufacture of building materials. (Rekha et al., 2010) They include photo-stimulated redox reactions of adsorbed materials and the photo-generated hydrophilic exchange of TiO2. Titanium dioxide is deemed as sedentary and safe material and has been used in many functions including the manufacture of several products such as paint, used as food additive, nutritional supplements among others.The first part of th e trial carried by the Indian Medical Association was carried in the premises whereby they tested photocatalysts efficacy of TiO2 in the Indian Scenario. The test was done as stipulated in the ISO protocol 27447:2009. The selected area of testing included the floor, door handles and table top swap of the premises. They cultured bacteria and counted the number of colonies in each sample. There was a lot of microorganism from the three selected regions. The ground floors had largest number of the organism compared to table top swap.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Abnormal presence Essay Example for Free

Abnormal presence Essay All the monster desired from Victor was a decent upbringing, and an explanation for his creation. Shelley was trying to put this point forward as its a question all children would ask and expect of their parents, as its the responsibility that they take on when they commit to having children. Shelley emphasises the point again, that Victor was not ready to commit to this responsibility. The creature begins life isolated from mankind. His isolation is amplified by humans reactions to him; he means them no harm, yet they flee from him or force him away as they are not used to such an abnormal presence. The creature flees a group of bewildered individuals and escapes to a secluded cottage in the woods, where he shelters himself away from the cold weather and rain.. The creature is fascinated by the cottagers behavior and immediately attracted to their beauty and tenderness. He observes their lifestyle through an opening in his shelter and a crack in the cottage wall. Through this all the creature is thinking about is how he desires such a childhood, such a lifestyle and upbringing, yet he was brought into this world as a neglected baby. He started out feeling isolated and an outcast from society, but sees a family with such warmth and welcoming in this world. His observations of the family connect him with other people and reduce his unnaturalness by allowing him to study about and imitate normal people. The creature then learns that there is more to life than what he has seen, and wants to get to know the De Laceys better, and as a possibility become a part of their family. Bear in mind the creature has been alive in the hovel for over a year now, and has been hiding in it for the majority of the time. After much planning and effort, the creature attempts to speak to the eldest De Lacey. While the old man is home alone, the monster enters the cottage and begins conversing. Sympathetically acknowledged by the old man, the creature decides to share his story just as the other De Laceys return. Disgusted at the sight of the deformed figure, Felix attacks the creature, who flees to his hovel to hide, his fondest hopes crushed. The creature, enraged by his dismissal, experiences hatred for the first time: I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery This shows how the family interpreted the monsters presence as disturbing, when all the monster wanted to do was to find a family who would love and care for him, unlike Victor. The monster realises the tie that binds himself and his creator: from you only could I hope for succor . . . on you only had I any claim for pity and redress This shows us that from the way Victor dismissed him, it was the cause of so much hatred and anger when rejection happens all over again to the creature. The creature has learned aggression and deception through his exposure to society and his education. Shelley has included this to give us an image of what is would have been like to have not been brought up with love and affection from our parents, and to not have had the memories and experiences we do now. Without these the creature could not comprehend his existence, and makes the need to be with his father more apparent. To conclude Mary Shelley has captured the essence of why family and domestic affection are so important during our lives, as without it she has given us a fictitious example of what we might turn out like. The use of the creature gives us a clear understanding that he was not brought up in the way we all take for granted, and how such small things we dont blink an eyelid to, make such a significant effect on our lives. Victors denial and rejection of the creature shows me how hard it would be to bring up something you werent entirely convinced you wanted, and you could cope with.

The Impact Social Media have on People Globally Essay Example for Free

The Impact Social Media have on People Globally Essay â€Å"Social Media isn’t a fad; it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.† (Qualman, 2010). Communication as it is known today is truly and constantly changing as a result of social media utilization and thus the dynamics of human relationships take on a new perspective. The first thing that comes to mind when one hears the words, â€Å"Social Media†, is definitely the means by which one can communicate and meet with people across the globe, through the different channels that are now available. What do we really mean by â€Å"Social Media†? â€Å"The term refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share and or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks†. (Provencher, pg 1). The Social Media has definitely become a great significant part of our society and thus defines how people integrate. For this we can thank our technology visionaries who have created this platform. People can now freely express their opinions, thoughts and feelings which can be shared with family and peers. What types of social media or networks are there existing today? While Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and WhatsApp might be the first sites that comes to mind, these however, do not represent the full scope that exists. Through social connections: Facebook, no doubt arguably one of the most popular and world’s largest social media utility, has provided users around the globe to build connections and share information with people and organizations they choose to interact with. According to (Provencher, pg1), â€Å"as of September 2010 Facebook has more than 1.15 billion users worldwide†. Twitter, on the other hand, is a social networking or micro blogging platform which also allows groups and individuals to stay connected and as it says, it is basically sharing one’s thoughts and ideas and also keeping up with others. Google +, though relatively new is designed to allow users to build circles of contacts which is also integrated with other Google products. YouTube is another popular social media which is mainly used for video hosting. Then there is LinkedIn, this is also a place where groups of professionals who share areas of interests gets to share and participate in conversations about what’s happening in their related fields. This platform is an important tool for people who are seeking employment which can be a  viable option for networking. Though it may be exciting and beneficial to most people, it is also essential that people proceed with caution when using the various social media tools and platforms, hence in this light; one can consider how social media has impacted on people’s lives, such as, sourcing information or news; interacting socially and fostering literacy. Sourcing the News/Information How time and things have changed over the years, thanks to new innovation introduced. Today, look at how the news is sourced, compared to when the only means was way of the television, radio or the newspapers. According to, (Sarah, page 1), â€Å"Technology has certainly advanced over the past two decades and has transformed how we perceive the world’s means of communication. This however, is a â€Å"step-up† from the other types of media of which we were first introduced, and then known as, â€Å"industrial media† or â€Å"traditional media†, example, the television, newspaper and radio on which people decades ago had relied on†. This method however was never really within the reach of people as it is now compared to if people were living in remote parts of the country where cables and in some instances no electricity was present. It can be said, (Sarah, page 1), â€Å"that with the internet, borders have been surpassed, where people can blend in with other cultures and new worlds in a matter of seconds†. This is thus one of the biggest influences thus far, which is impacting on the present generation and those to come. Social media, in other words comprises everything that has to do with the internet. Social Media has become an important source of news to many, as the availability of the major news channels on the various social networks, such as CNN, ABC, NBC and Fox News to name a few, have made it even more accessible and quickly for people on the move. No matter where one is, may it be on the public transportation, in the restaurant, sourcing the news have become so easy, compared to twenty years ago, when the only means was by waiting for a particular time to watch the news on the television or the radio. Interacting Socially In this section we will examine the impact social media has on how we interact socially. With the proliferation of technologies that are suppose to overcome the obstacles of time and space, one would think that these tools would be used to gain an understanding of how other cultures meet people all over the world; maintain and strengthen familiar relationships and communicate effectively with others and to help people to become more socially adapt. Technology advances however have caused people to become more distracted, stressed and to an extent isolated. â€Å"People have formed relationships through social media, but this means have sometimes left people feeling qualitatively empty†. (Human Kinectics, excerpts, pg 1). Hence, advance technology by means of the social media has a profound impact on what it means to be social. A study of students and information technology found that 85% of undergraduate surveyed used social networking sites. â€Å"Many were reported to use sites daily and this is increasing each year. 85% of the student used the social media to stay in touch with friends; 68% shared photos; 50% communicate with classmates; 5 % found someone to date, while 16% used it as a forum to express their opinions and beliefs†. (Salaway et al, 2008) Although these sites acts a positive place or forum to meet people who may share similar interests and experiences, does not often have a positive impact on one’s social skills and development, as it oftentimes leads to isolation and loneliness. Watching television is another way in which we interact socially; it is regarded as technology that comes with mixed reactions regarding its impact on social skills and social lives. Researchers have suggests that spending limited amount of time watching wholesome programmes can strengthen families and friendships, however, some suggests that it also contributes to the downfall of social values worldwide. Television watching provides little opportunity for interacting socially because one just sits there ingesting what is presented to them without having an input in responding to another person. This in reality can have serious effects on people skills in not practicing how to relate and deal with people. Apparently, social media and technology has the potential to harm or enhance social skills and lives. Therefore the key is to analyze how social media affects us socially. Social media has changed the way people interact and in many ways, has led to some  positive changes in the way people communicate and share information; such as, it improving relationships as one gets to communicate with family and friends living apart. It also allows people to communicate without geographical limitations. However, social media also has a negative side to it, in that, â€Å"†¦long hours tend to be spent using social media and people tend to spend more time and energy into online relationships than real life, which impacts how people socialize in the physical world’, says, (Lee, pg 1). Fostering Literacy Social media plays an important part in fostering literacy and also enhances early communication skills especially where children are concerned. The social media has been able to â€Å"tap† into the platform by encouraging the amount of information that is made available on the internet. Websites, such as: ABC.com, Education.com, NickJr.com, PBSKids.com, is just a few of the medium in which children from ages 2-8 are able to access for early learning. In comparison to two or three decades ago, where the only access to means of learning was either by the television, when popular shows such as Sesame Street was available or going to the public library, where there were sections for children to sit and read story books and so on. With time, this has all changed due to modern technology. Worldwide, people now have access to thousands of learning applications online such as learning new languages. With the advent of tablets or ipads, smart phones and other devices, the way media messages are brought to us is ever-present and with social media, internet TV, blogs and self-publishing, in addition to the traditional print and broadcasting the number of media messages out there is also ever increasing. People now have the ability to critically deconstruct the messages the media is conveying to us. â€Å"People are buying things, they don’t know why; they are voting for people, they don’t know why and, what we’re doing is giving them the skills so that they can develop a distance from what they are watching and understands what they are watching.† (Silverblatt, pg 1). As pediatrician (Haller, pg 1) says, â€Å"children these days live in a media-saturated environment. Children ages 3- 6 nowadays spends between 5- 6 hours a day watching television or playing internet games, which should be  cause for concern†. The question is, are they learning from what they are watching, and does the messages and images that are portrayed foster learning? It is therefore important for parents to monitor and instill certain levels of ethics and morality on their children at all times. It is known that the media can be used positively in fostering literacy if used in a positive manner to reinforce learning and literacy. â€Å"Advocates are now pointing out the benefits that social media provides for today’s digital learners, while critics call for regulation and for removing social media from classrooms, thus finding a middle ground has become a challenge†. (Lederer, pg 1). As an educational tool, social media enriches the learning experience by allowing students and teachers to connect and interact in new and exciting ways. So with sites such as, LinkedIn and Wikipedia Encyclopedia, which provides a platform for exchanging ideas and sourcing information, users can dialog and find answers to questions with instantaneous response. These sites are designed to foster collaboration and discussions thus fostering literary skills. Although, social media fosters literacy in a positive way, such being an educational tool, enhancing people engagement and improving communication among students and teachers, there is also the downside to social media. To some it can be a distraction, it also encourages cyber bullying or malicious behaviour and harassment online and it also discourages face-to-face communication as in previous decades before the intervention of social media. Conclusion In concluding, one can say that social media and technology apparently has the potential to harm or enhance social skills and social lives. Therefore, the key is to analyze how social media affects people socially. Does it help us build positive, meaningful relationships? Are people better able to communicate, listen and share information because of the technologies in their lives? Such are the critical questions regarding technology and social development. What is clear is that social media is here to stay and has thus become a daily part of life for many people. Social media has therefore changed the world drastically and up to this point has a firm place in our future, where it is hoped that the capabilities of these interactive  platforms will be extended. One of the most important functions of social media or networks is connecting users with other users worldwide. According to, (Hsieh, Hsieh Feng, pg 1), â€Å"A number of studies have explored how social media stimulate sharing and relationship building among their users†. With social media strong presence today, people worldwide find themselves more closely knitted than ever before, which have influenced the present generations immensely. Therefore, one can say that social media, when and if used appropriately can facilitate the collaboration that will be essential to overcome the challenges facing how information is sourced, how it fosters higher education and the way people are interacting socially today. To this, one can give credit and thanks to those visionaries who have made this possible. According to (Guha, pg 1), â€Å"We credit this achievement to the developments that have made in technology to ingenuity of the visionaries among us, who in creating social networking platforms have helped write some of the present occurrences being experienced in the world today†. Works Cited 1. Qualman, E., â€Å"Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business†, 2010, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. 2.Provencher, Kaitlin, â€Å"Social Media Overview†, 2013, Web. www.webcomm.tufts.edu/social-media-overview13/ 3.Sarah, Naomi, â€Å"Different Types of Social Media†, 2011, Web. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-forms-of-social-media.html 4.Human Kinectics, â€Å"Dimensions of Liesure for Life†, web. http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/technology-can-have-positive-and-negative-impact-on-social-interactions 5.Salaway,et al, (Excerpts), â€Å"Dimensions of Leisure for Life†, Human Kinectics, web. http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/technology-can-have-positive-and-negative-impact-on-social-interactions 6. Silverblatt, Ken, â€Å"How do we foster Media Literacy in Today’s Digital World?† by Camille Phillips, web, http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/how-do-we-foster-media-literacy-todays-digital-world 7. Haller, Ken, â€Å"How do we foster Media Literacy in Today’s Digital World?† by Camille Phillips, we b, http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/how-do-we-foster-media-literacy-todays-di

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Being an Effective Leader: Literature Review

Being an Effective Leader: Literature Review Introduction How to be an effective leader? Leadership is not management or instruction. Leadership is the ability to inspire or influence others towards the leaders goal and a real leader have followers. If someone has followers, then he or she is a successful leader. Besides that, must be a real leader. A successful leader must make his or her followers believe that they are a team or family, not only the relationship between leader and subordinates only. If they have confidence in you and be your followers that is the successful beginning of the goal. However, an effective leader is someone who establishes a clear vision. Furthermore, leader should also be able to educate his subordinates since they have the ability to work independently. Next, for businesspeople, one of the important things have to worry about is to inspire people or influence others towards the leaders goal. Now, here are some methods to make tasks easier and how to be an effective leader such as positive attitude, self-asse ssment and be fully prepared.    Bee Kai Ying, 1507526 First: An effective leader must have positive attitude Firstly, positive attitude is important for a leader. A great leader is able to control their emotion well. They would not bring negative emotion to work. This is because they know these emotions can affect others especially people in leadership position. For example, when facing a problem that are not expected, from ability to stay clam can bring confidence to team members and prevent other team members feeling confuse. Moreover, a good leader will seek advice from team member without caring their position. Besides that, a positive thinker will not be jealous others ability and are willing to learn from them. Positive thinkers team can improve a lot. For example, a positive thinking team will treat a difficult situation as a chance to show their ability while a negative thinking team will not because they are worry for failure. Even when positive thinker fail in the challenges but they can quickly overcome failure and accept the challenges again. They will not stop because of the fa ilure but will improve because of learning the failure and never give up. At last, positive thinking not only affected the leader themselves but will also affected the team members and encourage the team toward their personal or team goals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Wong Chung Hing ,1507484 Second: Effective leaders own self-assessment Self-assessment is the process for leaders to evaluate their performances, behaviours and have better understanding on their strengths and weaknesses. As a result of owning self-assessment skill, they are able to work on their limitations and improve their abilities including confidence, communication skill and team-building skill as an effective leader. Moreover, leaders are able to hire the subordinates or team-mates who complement him on his insignificance. There are some tools and techniques have been prepared for self-assessment and one of the most famous tool is Leadership Steps Assessment (LSA) (James G. Clawson, 1999). By using LSA, one can learn on clarifying one selfs centre, whats possible and what others can contribute, supporting others, being relentless as well as celebrating progress. In addition, leader should always know the perception of people on him. He may request the people to comment on his best and worst qualities and eventually improve the best qualities whil e getting rid of the worst qualities. Last but not least, leader who own self-assessment will learn from their mistakes once they realize their errors. They will face the mistakes and take the responsibility to overcome them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chong Yee Lee 150784 Third: be an effective leader must have fully preparation To become an effective leader one must prepare yourself to lead well before you do anything. First, make a list of everything you need to do. Opportunities are often the beginning of the great cause when you are ready to welcome the opportunity, better than have a chance and you are not prepared yourself. When leaders fail it is due to lack of preparation. Next, the leader never stopped being accountable to yourself and others. You cant expect subordinates to perform better if they are not prepared to successfully deliver what you expect from them. Because the things you express to subordinates and what their receive of the ideas is different. Being prepared for the unexpected is your accountable. For example, when the leader demands more from subordinates, enforcement of pressure rises so does the pressure guides subordinates rightly done their own position job. At the same times, improve the performance of the standards for the leader you will notice that preparation become a major measure of success. A leader needs to brush up yourself, such as invest in your own skill sets and capabilities to improve your solution to problem-solving. The preparation does not guarantee success, but the lack of preparation can certainly happen your tendency to failure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lee Chi San, 1508085 Conclusion Last but not least, a great leader is a person who must have positive attitude, self-assessment, and be fully prepared. First, an effective leader should be able to fully prepared. When a leader has fully prepared before doing anything, it will help to decrease the rate of failure of the goal. For example, a leader should prepare or provide a vision for where the company is heading in such a way that people can buy into that vision. Secondly, leader must have own self-assessment. For example, leader will learn from their mistakes towards the goals. It will win the heart of the people you are leading and the possibilities are endless. Thirdly, leader also should have positive attitudes. Effective leaders inspire you and influence others all their thoughts, words and actions are charged. They look inside and bring the best of you to the surface.For example, a leader must be a positive thinker, good example and good mirror in front of people, because it can inspire people towards the go al. In short, a successful leader can lead all subordinates together to achieve the goal and let all subordinates voluntarily follow from the start to the end. This is what an effective leader must have.   Ã‚  Ã‚   1507526, Bee Kai Ying Why Do Countries Trade With One Another? Why Do Countries Trade With One Another? There are several reasons why countries trade with one another. Trade among nations is taken as a sign of good intent and a means of maintaining non-hostile diplomatic relations. Trade is used to empower allied nations by providing them with valued resources such as oil, grain, or bullets, as well as crippling and weakening rivals by imposing economic sanctions on goods services such as: military armaments, food, or medicine. Bans such as these are used to punish nations or motivate a change in their political and economic behavior. A course of action that the United States of America has pursued several times when suspect of nations endoursing terrorism. Moreover, trade unifies neighbouring countries with shared economic ideals by creating a common currency and trade laws that bolster each partys economic power. The establishment of the euro for example in 2002 united 12 countries and is now used in 22 countries, currently overpowering the US dollar.   Essentially countries trade in order to purchase goods and/or services that would not have been available within their borders either due to insufficient resources or underdeveloped technology. Therefore through trade, countries are able to obtain any desired good or service that would have otherwise been unattainable or would have placed a burden on economic activity. International trade may be described as a interdependent web of sustainability among countries. International trade therefore mirrors specialisation, this being a key concept underlined in the law of comparative advantage. The law of comparative advantage involves the opportunity costs of two or more parties (a firm or company, in this case a country) in their production of a good or service and highlights their ability in producing it at the highest possible efficiency in relation to all the other possible goods or services that could have been produced in its place. In this sense, there is merit in trading with other countries when international differences are present in the opportunity cost of given goods. An isolated economy with limited resources is able to produce tractors and hats for instance. The more resources allocated in the production of tractors, the less are available for the production of hats and vice versa. The opportunity cost of tractors is the quantity of hats sacrificed seeing that resource allocation was focused on the production of tractors and not hats.  This situation can be illustrated by the diagram overleaf: Diagram (a) shows the maximum combination of tractors and hats this economy can produce. In the event that all resources were used to produce maximum tractor output while sacrificing the production of hats all-together, then the outcome would be shown by point A. Similarly, point D represents the event that the economy sacrificed the production of tractors to achieve maximum hat output.  Points B and C correspond to relative trade-offs. Point E represents inefficient use of resources, while point F requires more resources than the economy has at hand and can only be achieved by development of the given economy. The curve A-D is known as the production possibility curve. Using the principle of comparative advantage, countries derive whether it would be beneficial to start trading and if so, if it should export or import. Take for instance the market for wheat. The wheat industry is large seeing that it is produced in many countries making it a good example in terms of analysing the gains and losses a country may experience as a result of trade. For example, Country As market for wheat is isolated from the world market. There are no transactions be it exports or imports and the market for it is comprised uniquely by its domestic buyers and sellers. The diagram overleaf depicts the market equilibrium without international trade: (b) In an economy like Country As, domestic supply and demand are balanced by adjusting the price. In the absence of international trade consumer and producer surplus are in equilibrium.   To determine whether or not Country A should trade with other countries the domestic price of wheat should be compared to that of other countries, commonly known as the world price. If the domestic price of wheat is lower than the world price then Country A becomes an exporter of wheat seeing that domestic wheat producers take advantage of the increased foreign prices and begin selling to other countries. By contrast, if Country As domestic price of wheat were higher than the world price then it becomes an importer of wheat since consumers are eager to buy cheaper wheat from abroad.   The principle of comparative advantage is a key element as far as trade is concerned. By considering the domestic price in relation to the world price of wheat Country A derives whether or not it has a comparative advantage in producing it. The opportunity cost of wheat is derived from the domestic value. In other words, how much of another good Country A has to sacrifice in order to produce one unit of wheat. A low production price of wheat states that Country A has a comparative advantage to the rest of the world. Conversely, if Country A has a high production value, other countries have a comparative advantage.   Diagram (b) shows the domestic equilibrium price and quantity for wheat during pre-trade conditions. Once Country A starts trading, the domestic price increases to reach the world price level. This is to say that domestic producers will now sell at this new increased price which in turn forces consumers to pay more. This is shown by the diagram below: (c) Quantity demanded and quantity supplied differ when in trade. The new excess quantity is used as exports to other countries. Before trading, the price level adjusted itself so that domestic supply and demand could balance. Consumer surplus being areas A + B and producer surplus area C. Total surplus summing up to areas A + B + C. Now that a new price has been set, consumer surplus is A while areas B + C + D are the producer surplus. The new total surplus is A + B + C + D. Producers surplus increases by areas B and D making them better-off. While consumer surplus is reduced by area B. Due to producer gain trumping consumer loss, total surplus in Country A increases. This example shows how trade bolsters the economic state of a country and reinforces the pro-trade argument. Following these points, one concludes by saying that trade among nations is beneficial seeing that it allows each party to allocate its resources accordingly in order to specialise in what it does best, while obtaining other desired goods at a lower rate. When countries decide what to specialise in upon entering trade with one another, their opportunity costs are taken into consideration seeing as relative production costs differ from country to country.  The following model puts into practice the example with hats and tractors. Take for instance two countries producing hats and tractors, Greece and Britain. British workers earn 6 pounds an hour whereas Greek workers earn 3 euro and have an absolute advantage in terms of both goods. Table 1 shows that less British unit labour hours are needed for both goods. Britain is relatively more productive in terms of tractors seeing that it takes 1.5 times longer for Greece to produce one. However, it takes Greece only 5/4 times longer to make a hat.  Britain holds the comparative advantage for tractor production and Greece in hats. By sacrificing 10 hats, Britain acquires 40 extra labour hours to make a Tractor.  The opportunity cost of a tractor in Britain is 10 hats and 12 hats in Greece. The opportunity cost of Greece however (1/12 of a tractor) is less than the opportunity cost in Britain ( 1/10 of a tractor.).  Once again, this proves that Britain has a comparative advantage in tractors and Greece in hats. Specialisation and trade allows these countries to produce and trade each good more efficiently. Greece focuses on hat production a nd Britain on tractor. Trade has proven to be a very beneficial course of action for countries to take part in. Benefits from trade range from maintaining good-willed relations between nations, to empowering allies with precious resources, to weakening foes by stripping them away and finally to allow each country to obtain goods and services in demand that would have otherwise been impossible to attain. Through the principle of comparative advantage countries determine a number of factors. Initially, with the use of a production possibility frontier diagram, they derive opportunity costs for different combinations of producing goods. Efficient resource allocation paves the way to specialisation of goods. Secondly, they see if they have a comparative advantage in entering international trade and exporting (buying). Trade, exports to be more precise, increase countries economic power as it increases Total Surplus. Finally, when faced with the option of multiple good production, countries compare their compar ative advantage in relation to each good and settle for the most efficient outcome. As a result of specialisation all parties benefit from reduced costs.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Role of Femininity in Shakespeares Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear

The Role of Femininity in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear similarly experience an "unhooking" (Tompkins) in the eponymous plays. These tragic figures struggle with internal and external femininity: after realizing their emotions and labeling them feminine, they identify women as the source of this negative femininity. Their inability to deal with the female gender in any form destabilizes their masculinity, causing an unhooking/unlatching within them. The origin of Hamlet's psychological decay lies in his anger towards Gertrude and his inability to adjust to her marrying Claudius. From Hamlet's perspective, Gertrude giving herself to a new husband signifies her failure to honor his father and her abandonment of Hamlet; he is figuratively orphaned, and he resents his sole living parent. Additionally, Hamlet's emotional confidence has been significantly damaged: seeing his mother with another man substantiates the possibility that his future wife could leave him for another man and cause him serious pain. This r ealization compels Hamlet to mask his feelings for Ophelia with madness, a defense mechanism intended to conceal his vulnerability. Ophelia reports that he appeared "with his doublet all unbrac'd,/No hat upon his head, his stockins fouled,/Ungart'red, and down-gyved to his ankle" (2.1.75-7), but as Hamlet is well-aware of the dress code, he likely intended for his behavior to be viewed as unacceptable and thus mad. Throughout the play, Hamlet has difficulty reacting to his feelings and the women who cause them. Because he wishes he could act instead of speculating, Hamlet curses his own femininity: "Fie upon't, foh!" (2.2.584-7). Secondly, his anger towards Ophelia is like... ...ing his death; however, this occurs too late, as Goneril and Regan have left his fate to Edmund, convinced that their father has lost all reason. Similarly, Othello's unhooking is so complete that the only way Desdemona could have survived is if he kills himself first. In contrast, Hamlet could have lived, feeling the grief of Ophelia's death, had he not rejected his characteristic inaction, which he believed to be connected with his emotions and thus feminine. Works Cited Bradley, A.C. "King Lear." 20Lh Century Interpretations of King Lear. Ed. Jane Adelman. New Jersev; Prentice-Hall, 1978. Neely, Carol. "Women and Men in Othello" Critical Essays on Shakespeare’s Othello. Ed. Anthony G. Barthelemy Pub. Macmillan New York, NY 1994. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Ed. David Bevington. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Role of Prisons in Reducing Recidivism Essay -- Argumentative Persuasi

Role of Prisons in Reducing Recidivism The role of prisons and prison wardens in reducing recidivism is a major concern today. With programs initialized in the prison systems, recidivism rates still have stayed about the same for forty years. Almost two-thirds of prisoners will be arrested after their release, and of those, half will return to prison for a new crime. The obstacle faced by professionals to change behavior is a multi-layered complex problem that needs to be addressed in our society today. Different views and opinions are given, and they do not lesson the impact of each other, but a multi-dimensional program should be utilized to achieve the goal of recidivism. Professor Alex Holsinger of the University of Missouri states that each individual has a responsibility for his or her behavior and not to look at the penal system for absolute rehabilitation. The recidivism studies tend to clump entire criminal behavior into one study and do not look at all the different criminal offenses separately. For example, chronic drunk driving behavior and shoplifting behavior s...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne :: Young Goodman Brown YGB

Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne "Young Goodman Brown", by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a story that is thick with allegory. "Young Goodman Brown" is a moral story, which is told through the perversion of a religious leader. In "Young Goodman Brown", Goodman Brown is a Puritan minister who lets his excessive pride in himself interfere with his relations with the community after he meets with the devil, and causes him to live the life of an exile in his own community. "Young Goodman Brown" begins when Faith, Brown's wife, asks him not to go on an "errand". Goodman Brown says to his "love and (my) Faith" that "this one night I must tarry away from thee." When he says his "love" and his "Faith", he is talking to his wife, but he is also talking to his "faith" to God. He is venturing into the woods to meet with the Devil, and by doing so, he leaves his unquestionable faith in God with his wife. He resolves that he will "cling to her skirts and follow her to Heaven." This is an example of the excessive pride because he feels that he can sin and meet with the Devil because of this promise that he made to himself. There is a tremendous irony to this promise because when Goodman Brown comes back at dawn; he can no longer look at his wife with the same faith he had before. When Goodman Brown finally meets with the Devil, he declares that the reason he was late was because "Faith kept me back awhile." This statement has a double meaning because his wife physically prevented him from being on time for his meeting with the devil, but his faith to God psychologically delayed his meeting with the devil. The Devil had with him a staff that "bore the likeness of a great black snake". The staff which looked like a snake is a reference to the snake in the story of Adam and Eve. The snake led Adam and Eve to their destruction by leading them to the Tree of Knowledge. The Adam and Eve story is similar to Goodman Brown in that they are both seeking unfathomable amounts of knowledge. Once Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge they were expelled from their paradise. The Devil's staff eventually leads Goodman Brown to the Devil's ceremony which destroys Goodman Brown's faith in his fellow man, therefore expelling him from his utopia. Goodman Brown almost immediately declares that he kept his meeting with the Devil and no longer wishes to continue on his errand with the Devil. He says that he comes from a "race of honest men and good

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Alternative Medicine Essay 9

Abstract This paper is going to educate the reader about Alternative and Complementary Medicine which is also known as CAM. The paper will define Alternative and Complementary Medicine or CAM and compare it to conventional medicine. The main focus of the paper will be examining the different types of CAM. The types of CAM will be broken into five different groups which are : Whole or Alternative Medical Systems, Mind-Body Medicine, Biologically Based Practices, Manipulative and Body-Based Practices, and Energy Medicine. The reader will read about many mainstream practices such as Chiropractic and Physical therapy as well as many less popular practices such as Color Therapy and Reiki. The paper will also briefly discuss my personal opinion and interest of CAM as well as CAM related to health insurance CAM – Alternative and Complementary Medicine Millions of people in the United States suffer from a chronic illness of some kind. A chronic illness is a long-term condition for which there seems to be no cure such as arthritis, allergies, high blood pressure, digestive problems and back pain. Most of the time people that live with chronic illness use conventional medicine, which is taught to medical students in medical schools throughout the world and is based on science and clinical research and most treatments have scientific evidence of their effectiveness but others use Alternative medicine. Alternative medicine has many different origins and philosophies, comes from many different cultures and involves many different practices. Alternative medicine is used for treatment, preventive health care, health maintenance or to enhance well being. There are several established alternative therapies that have earned respectability because they are effective. Methods such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and homeopathy are well researched and their practitioners are well trained and have come to be widely accepted. There are also literally hundreds of other types of alternative treatments that, on the surface seem to be a bit bizarre and are less main stream. The list of what is considered alternative medicine changes often as therapies are proven safe and effective and become adopted into conventional health care. Patients with a terminal illness such as cancer, often turn to alternative medicine after conventional medical treatment has failed them or vice versa. An example of alternative medicine in this case would be using a special diet for cancer treatment instead of or after radiation or chemotherapy. In some cases alternative medicine and conventional medicine can be used together. When this occurs it is called Complementary medicine. An example of this would be when physical therapy is used to rehabilitate a patient after surgery. The use of Complementary Methods and Alternative Medicine is often referred to as CAM and includes a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine (CAM Overview : NCCAM). The chart below show the percentage of adults and children in the U. S who are using some form of CAM (2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) results : NCCAM). [pic] It is unfortunate that at this time that even though there are so many people using different forms of alternative medicine, health insurance coverage is not very good at all. Mainstream forms of alternative medicine such as physical therapy is usually covered to some degree by insurance providers but not usually to the level of conventional medicine. Less popular forms of alternative medicine is usually not covered at all. As these practices become more proven and effective providers should be forced to provide more coverage to their customers. It will be interesting to see how the potential new universal healthcare system will or will not incorporate alternative medicine. This could be one of the key factors that influence politicians and the people on this issue. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a government agency that monitors scientific research on alternative medicines and keeps the public informed on the results of alternative medicine research studies. The NCCAM divides alternative therapies into five major groups: Whole or Alternative Medical Systems – These type of medical systems are some of the most common and often come from complex treatments based upon theories that often have evolved over centuries and often in eastern countries such as China, Korea and India. Examples of these types of systems include Acupuncture, Homeopathic medicine, and Naturopathic medicine. According to (NCCAM) the term â€Å"acupuncture† describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is regulated by the FDA all practitioners must be licensed and abide by the rules and regulations in regards to the use of needles which are set by the FDA. Acupuncture is pretty safe and there have not been many major incidents reported to the FDA. Most of the time if there is a problem it has to do with the sterilization of needles but there is also the risk of punctured organs http://nccam. nih. gov/health/acupuncture (Acupuncture : NCCAM). Homeopathy or Homeopathic medicine seeks to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances. This technique was developed in Germany more than 200 years ago by Samuel Hahnemenn. Homeopathic practitioners believe that these highly diluted solutions can be powerful medicines and can cure various diseases and illnesses such as the common cold, digestive problems, influenza, hay fever, and earaches. Remedies can be taken as a powder, a pill or a liquid, can be rubbed into the skin or injected. There are usually no side effects although sometimes a patient may feel worse before he feels better (Homeopathy : NCCAM). Naturopathic Medicine focuses on supporting health rather than combating disease. Naturopathic medicine uses the healing power of nature to maintain and restore health (Naturopathy : NCCAM). The use of natural treatments is to get to the root of the problem and what actually created the problem in the first place. Its goal is to create a healthy inner body and outer body. Believers claim naturopathic medicine prevents illness because people are taught healthy diet modifications and lifestyle changes to avoid diseases. Since this system focuses on natural healing there isn’t much risk involved only the risk of the condition getting worst Mind-Body Medicine – The concept of the interconnection between the brain and body has been around for quite a while. Ancient healing practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasized important links between the mind and body. Recently people have come to appreciate the powerful effect the mind has over the body. People think that their mind has the power to heal their body and if they have a healthy mind they will have a healthy body. There are many techniques that are being used such as meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance (CAM Overview : NCCAM). The three that are most interesting to me are hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and color therapy. Hypnotherapy is the most widely practiced of these therapies. The patient is put into a hypnosis-induced trance and then treated in a variety of ways to relieve anxiety, pain or stress (Clinical Hypnotherapy : Cleveland Clinic). Relaxation and visualization are stress relieving therapies often used together to treat mental and emotional problems and reduce muscle tension. The goal is to induce a calm mind and body. Visualization uses the patient's imagination and right-brain activity to create positive healing images, which initiate changes in attitudes or behavior. Biofeedback is a technique used especially for stress related conditions such as asthma, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and insomnia (Biofeedback using your mind to improve your health : Mayo Clinic). The patient is hooked up to sensitive machines that monitor small metabolic changes in the body such as heartbeat, temperature, muscle tension as well as brainwaves. The patient is trained to control brainwave activity as well as slow the heartbeat and modify the other functions through breathing and relaxation techniques. Color therapy is based on the belief that diseases, pain, cosmetic problems, personality, â€Å"spiritual attunement†, and intellectual or artistic capabilities are each associated with a specific color. There are several different therapies associated with colors: Color Breathing, Color Imagination, Color Meditation, and Hydrochromopathy. Color Breathing involves the patient imagining himself surrounded by a cloud of a specific color. The color depends on what the patient's problem is. For example yellow is used for stomach, nerves, spleen and pancreas. Blue is used for large intestines, skin, connective tissue and lungs. The patient breathes deeply and imagines the color filling his lungs and flowing throughout his body until it gets to the body part in need of treatment. Color Imagination involves visualizing a specific color in order to cure a disease associated with that color. Color Meditation is a combination of the previous two therapies and parts of Eastern philosophies. It involves visualizing cones of different colors, which point to seven major â€Å"chakras† or psychic centers. Each of these chakras has a color that governs it and meditation and the use of colored light helps to open and reinforce the chakras. Hydrochromopathy is a variation that departs a little from the mind-body connection although it still requires a strong placebo influence. It involves filling a colored glass bottle with distilled water and heating it in sunlight for at least three hours. The resulting â€Å"color charged† water is then used as a treatment for various conditions. A fever is treated by blue charged water, red-charged water is taken to increase energy, green charged water improves overall health etc (Color Therapy : About Holistic Healing). Biologically Based Practices – These use natural substances such as herbs, foods and vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as other â€Å"natural† substances such as shark cartilage, shellfish shells, essential oils, metals, gems and crystals. The chart below shows the most commonly used natural products by adults in 2007 (2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) results : NCCAM)[pic] A dietary supplement is â€Å"a product (other than tobacco) that contains a dietary ingredient intended to supplement the diet†. This may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanical amino acids, enzymes, organ tissues, and metabolites. These supplements can be taken in several forms such as tablets, liquids or powders and are considered foods not drugs. Many people today take supplements of this kind. Vitamins and minerals such as iron are routinely prescribed to pregnant women and the shelves in health food shops are stacked to the ceiling with â€Å"natural products† that give you energy, make you sleep, help you to lose or gain weight, help women get through menopause or ease menstrual symptoms, help men build muscles, and protect you from a whole range of illnesses. Some dietary supplements have been proven to be effective treatments for some conditions and have been adopted by conventional medical practitioners. For example scientists have found that folic acid prevents some birth defects and an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration, is slowed down by vitamins and zinc. The most common therapy of this kind is a daily multi-vitamin and mineral tablet. The human body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals for health and these days some people believe that the food we eat does not provide enough of these vitamins and minerals (Using Supplements Wisely : NCCAM). Herbal remedies have been in existence for centuries and many herbs and plants have a powerful effect on the body. There are some common herbal treatments such as Aloa Vera for burns, Senna taken for constipation, ginger or mint taken for an upset stomach and ginseng taken to improve overall health and stamina. More recently Gingko Biloba has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement because of its antioxidant properties, which reduce free radicals in the body. Black Cohosh, an American Indian remedy has become a popular treatment for menstrual problems. There are also some very unusual and unorthodox herbal remedies. For example Carnivora therapy uses an extract from the Venus Fly Trap plant as a treatment for cancer. A few years ago there was a controversy over the claim that eating apricots kernels would cure cancer. Apricot kernels was claimed, contain vitamin B-17 also known as Laetrile, which when eaten would kill or prevent cancer in most cases. It was also claimed that if you ate seven apricot kernels a day you would never develop cancer. These claims were not backed up by clinical trials. In fact eating apricot kernels can be fatal as when crushed they produce cyanide, a lethal poison. The Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of apricot kernels, which led to many cancer patients traveling to Mexico for treatment. (Using Supplements Wisely : NCCAM) One of the most controversial dietary supplement therapies is the use of shark cartilage as a treatment for small cancerous tumors. Supporters of this remedy say that shark cartilage extract inhibits blood supply to small tumors and stops them from growing and metastasizing, a process called angiogenesis. So far there have been no clinical trials that prove this theory but this is a very popular supplement taken by many cancer sufferers. Cartiladge : Cancer Institute) Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils taken from plants, seeds, roots and flowers. It is not usually the aromas of the oils that have healing properties, but the essence or chemical make-up of the oils. This essence is usually rubbed onto the skin or made into a tea. The most common use of Aromatherapy is Vicks Vapor Rub, a blend of c amphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil, which is rubbed onto the chest as a treatment for a stuffy nose or a cold (Aromatherepy : Cancer Institute). Manipulative and Body-Based Practices This is based on manipulating or moving one or more body parts as in chiropractic treatments, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy and massage. Chiropractic uses physical manipulation of the body, especially the spinal column, to relieve pain and aid the body's inner healing power. Chiropractic has come to be more accepted into mainstream medicine in recent years as its effectiveness as a treatment for many conditions including back pain, headaches and sciatica has been demonstrated. It is now the second largest primary health care field in the world. Chiropractic doctors believe that problems with alignment in the spinal column can squeeze nerve endings and pathways, a condition they call subluxation. This squeezing of the nerves causes various ailments and conditions. A chiropractic adjustment of the spinal column, where the spine is re-aligned or straightened will release these nerves which will help the body's innate tendency to heal itself. Chiropractic practitioners earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from college and have to pass a state licensing board exam (Chiropractic : NCCAM). Osteopathy is a holistic preventive treatment used to restore balance in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic therapists believe that all of the body's systems work together and tension or â€Å"mechanical restrictions† anywhere in the musculoskeletal system can adversely affect other systems and organs in the body (Osteopathy : Natural Medicine Suite 101). Some therapists use osteopathic manipulation, a full-body hands-on technique. Some of the illnesses treated by osteopaths are arthritis, allergies, cardiac diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive disorders and bladder problems. Osteopaths earn a college degree, must complete an internship and residency program and pass State Licensing Board exams. They have the ability to prescribe drugs and perform surgery. Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease and trauma by various physical and mechanical therapies including exercise, heat treatment and massage. It is now so mainstream as to be almost no longer considered an alternative form of medicine. A Physical Therapist is trained to help patients with injuries, paralysis, degenerative diseases, dizziness and other diseases that restrict movement or cause chronic pain. Energy Medicine – Many Eastern non-conventional therapies incorporate the concept of energy fields and universal energy into their mind-body treatments, seeing humans as part of an interconnected, universal energy field. These therapies are sub divided into two types Biofield and Bioelectromagnetic (CAM Overview : NCCAM). Biofield Therapies affect â€Å"energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body† by placing the hands on the body or in or through these fields. Examples include Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Polarity Therapy and Shiatsu. Reiki is an ancient form of energy healing from Tibet. Reiki therapists place their hands on the chakras as well as major organs and glands to â€Å"channel healing energies†. It is used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as to fine tune â€Å"spiritual focus and clarity†. It is believed that if the patient's spirit is healed the body will heal also. (Reiki : NCCAM) Reiki Masters transfer energy that is universal rather than personal. Reiki practitioners are trained by Reiki Masters, which involves a series of initiations to â€Å"activate the practitioner's healing power†. Therapeutic Touch is a similar treatment based on the ancient art of the laying on of hands. The therapists do not actually touch the patient but hold their hands several inches from the body. The therapist has the ability to identify energy imbalances in the invisible energy fields that surround the human body. Therapists clear the defective energy field and replace it with their own personal energy (What is Theraputic Touch : Theraputic Touch). It is used to help the healing of wounds, promote relaxation, relieve pain and â€Å"ease the dying process†. Shiatsu is a Japanese therapy that developed from traditional Chinese medicine and involves the belief that energy in the body (Chi) flows through channels called meridians, which correspond to various organs in the body (Shiatsu : Holistic Online). Health is governed by five elements: water, fire, earth, wood and metal. The practitioner uses thumbs, hands, forearms, knees and feet to apply pressure to the body, which stimulates the flow of energy and restores balance. Polarity Therapy involves using a light touch that focuses on the spine to balance the body's energy flow. It is based on the theory that everything in nature including the human body is influenced by a â€Å"polarity between positive and negative energy charges† (What is Polarity Therapy : APTA). These energy charges must be in balance in order to prevent illness and pain. Polarity Therapists also use diet and nutrition, polarity yoga and psychological counseling, positive thinking and self-awareness. It is a blend of Western therapies such as chiropractic and osteopathy with eastern therapies that use chakras and the five elements associated with them. Bioelectromagnetic based therapies involves the use of magnets and â€Å"electromagnetic fields, pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields†. Magnetic Therapy is an ancient therapeutic technique based on the use of magnets on the acupuncture points of the body in order to help the body recuperate, relieve stress and ease pain. The theory is that magnetic fields produced by magnets can penetrate the human body and influence individual cells. The magnetic force stimulates nerves to create a blood flow to swollen and injured areas. Magnets used in this way are also supposed to affect the iron in red blood cells or create an alkaline reaction in the body. There are many magnetic products available that can be taped to the skin, worn in your shoes, as a belt, as jewelry or slept on. Many athletes such as golfers, footballers and tennis players wear magnetic devices to relieve sports related injuries or aches. Magnet therapy is used to treat arthritis, insomnia, headaches and back aches. Sometimes a magnet is incorporated into a copper bracelet, a popular alternative treatment for arthritis sufferers (Use Of Magnets : NCCAM). Those are just a few of the alternative medicines and therapies available today. Many of them are rooted in ancient philosophies and practices. Most of them sound logical and plausible and give hope to people seeking treatment for incurable diseases. Some of them are reputable and accepted forms of treatment, but many are considered quackery. A large percentage of American people use alternative therapies and medicines and the number is growing. Any one of these alternative therapies, no matter how strange they sound, may or may not work for you or me. My general thoughts on Alternative Medicine are that I am one of those people who feels like that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A lot of Alternative therapies definitely seem too good to be true. Unfortunately for me, I suffer from arthritis and if my arthritis continues to get worse then I have decided to try some form of alternative medicine because I am tired of the pain and will try anything. It will be interesting to see what type of coverage I will get from my health provider. Fortunately for me I was able to find out some valuable information at the NCCAM website (Paying for CAM : NCCAM). I was able to find out that some forms of CAM are more commonly covered than others and I also learned the importance of asking questions and what questions to ask to CAM and health providers. Hopefully when all is said and done with I will be miraculously healed and a true believer of Alternative Medicine. Bibliography 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) results : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. ih. gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1. htm Acupuncture : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/acupuncture/ Aromatherepy : Cancer Institute. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from National Cancer Institute: http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/aromatherapy/patient Biofeed back using your mind to improve your health : Mayo Clinic. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 29, 2009, from Mayo Clinic: http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/biofeedback/SA00083 CAM Overview : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/whatiscam/overview. htm Cartiladge : Cancer Institute. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 27, 2009, from National Cancer Institute: http://www. cancer. gov/cancer_information/doc. aspx? viewid=4AABA6FA-8A2E-4BF7-941F-7DC416B41233 Chiropractic : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/chiropractic/ Clinical Hypnotherapy : Cleveland Clinic. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from Cleveland Clinic: http://my. clevelandclinic. org/services/clinical_hypnotherapy/hic_clinical_hypnotherapy. aspx Color Therapy : About Holistic Healing. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 27, 2009, from About : Holistic Healing: http://healing. about. com/cs/colortherapy/a/aa_colortherapy. htm Homeopathy : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/homeopathy/ Naturopathy : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 24, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/naturopathy/ Osteopathy : Natural Medicine Suite 101. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from Natural Medicine Suite 101: http://naturalmedicine. suite101. com/article. cfm/osteopathy Paying for CAM : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 28, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/financial/ Reiki : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. ih. gov/health/reiki/ Shiatsu : Holistic Online. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 25, 2009, from Holistic Online: http://www. holisticonline. com/Shiatsu/hol_shiatsu_home. htm Use Of Magnets : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved 11 28, 2009, from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/magnet/magnetsforpain. htm Using Supplements Wisely : NCCAM. (n. d. ). Retrieved from T he National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam. nih. gov/health/supplements/wiseuse. htm

Friday, August 16, 2019

Research Article Analysis Essay

The purpose of the research study is to see if juveniles being employed affects delinquency and substance abuse amongst youth. The problem is that there seems to be a direct correlation between substance abuse and the intensity of work schedules while teens are attending school. The questions that are to be researched are why are youth who spend long hours at work more likely to be delinquent? What is the connection between those teens who work long hours and those who do not and how does it influence delinquency and substance abuse? The design of the study â€Å"includes the who, what, when, where, why, and how of an investigation† (Hagan, 2010, Ch. 3). The who for this study is U.S. students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. The sample excludes students who dropped out or graduated during the survey period. Some of the students have jobs, and some do not. Those who do not were asked if they could work, what would be the ideal amount of hours they would want to work each week. The amount of hours teens work while in school is the what for the study. The when is 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. During these years, the same students were surveyed to see how their circumstances had changed between eighth and twelfth grades. The where is the United States. The researchers are surveying random students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades across the country. The why is to see if employment negatively impacts juveniles and contributes towards delinquency and substance abuse. The how is the way in which the study is designed so that the hypothesis can be addressed and the results will in some way resolve the research problem (Hagan, 2010, Ch. 3). The study is designed in a way to track students across a certain age range while also surveying them multiple times through a set time period to track any changes to working while in school. Delinquency and substance abuse are common amongst teens, but some teens may be more likely to commit delinquent acts and abuse sub stances than  others. This is a problem for researchers because it is not known if working many hours each week, in addition to attending school, causes students to be pulled away from social interactions with their peers, which contributes towards delinquency and substance abuse. An operational definition for delinquency and substance abuse is a self-report measure. During a self-report measure, the participants in the study give their own report of the way something makes them feel. In this case, it would be the number of hours worked or the numbers of hours unemployed teens would prefer to work while attending school. There is room for presentational bias because those being surveyed may not tell the truth about their actions. Inductive logic is a way to determine a theory or theories that may explain the results of the data. This study shows inductive logic in the results because the results determined that deviance was associated with those juveniles who do work, and not those who preferred to work. â€Å"Delinquency, marijuana use, and heavy drinking were significantly higher for adolescents who spent long hours on the job compared with adolescents who were jobless but preferred moderate hours of work† (Staff, Osgood, & Schulenberg, 2010, page 17). Deductive logic gives absolute proof of something. It begins with a premise that is assumed to be true, and the researcher infers what would be true if the premise is true. They are sometimes known as â€Å"if†¦then† statements. Deductive logic is shown in the results because the researchers assume that if a student works while in school, then they are more likely to be delinquent and abuse alcohol and drugs. This research study is quantitative because it puts the results of the surveys into numerical values that are expressed by charts. Quantitative research uses surveys and questionnaires to compile the data, which is what researchers used for this study. The researcher was not part of the investigation. It was all done by students across the United States. The methodology for this study is use surveys and questionnaires to ask students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades over a four year span about their work history, alcohol usage, and drug usage. The population is all students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. The sampling method is to use students who remain in school throughout the survey period, and to exclude those who drop out or graduate. The findings of the study were those who were unemployed, but wished they could work were the teens with the highest rates of delinquency and substance abuse. The  researchers believe this is caused by a desire for the teens to feel like they are adults. They also believe this is because the students who wanted to work had loose ties between family and school. The author’s conclusions are that working does not necessarily contribute to higher delinquency and substance abuse rates. Neither does not working. Those who desire to work, but are unable to do so because they are too young, have no experience, cannot drive, or lack the necessary skills to perform a job properly are the juveniles who are the most likely to engage in delinquent acts, alcohol abuse, and subject abuse. The study could have been done differently by asking questions in a more anonymous way. Instead of asking surveys and sending questionnaires out, the students could be asked to voluntarily complete the survey. This could be done by using something like a voting booth. It is quick and easy. No one else would see the results, and it is completely anonymous. It also should not be limited to only students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. References Hagan, F. E. (2010). Research methods in criminal justice and criminology (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Staff, J., Osgood, D. W., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2010, November). Explaining the Relationship between Employment and Juvenile Delinquency. Crime and Delinquency.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay

The excerpt begins with Frankenstein wandering amid the ice of a mountain glacier where suddenly, the Creature approaches him with â€Å"super human speed† (2) and prevents Victor from escaping the confrontation he wishes to avoid. Without a positive identity in society, the Creature is incapable of attaining self-knowledge and thus, serves in Victor’s hidden scheme of being an omniscient, god-like figure. Consequently, the creature demonstrates the desire to participate in his creator’s world, attempting to construct his prejudice by employing language to seek the least recognition from his long-lost â€Å"parent.† This meeting is metaphorically the site of confrontation between son and father with a rhetorical argument, designed to persuade Victor of his duties as a creator to his creation. The encounter takes place in the Alpine setting of the Montanvert Glacier. This cold, hostile, and isolated setting symbolises the Creature’s reception by both his creator and society as a whole. Shelley links the landscape to the Creature’s feelings of rejection through commiserating comments, such as â€Å"the bleak skies I hail for they are kinder to me than your fellow beings† (48). As a result, the Creature craves human companionship and refers to his loneliness several times in the extract: â€Å"All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated who am miserable beyond all living things!† (16) The Creature, a flash of fire on the ice, ruptures the coldness because he embodies the feelings and instincts he represses. On the other hand, the fact that Victor also seeks solace in the mountains makes us wonder if the Creature is Frankenstein’s double; just like a son grows up to be a spitting image of his father. This appears to be a reoccurring theme in Shelley’s Frankenstein. On the surface, Victor and his creature seem drastically different, but ultimately there is not so much of a vast rift. Both inhabit cold, isolated places as they become alienated from society; Victor as a result of his choosing and the Creature as a result of society’s prejudice. Another dominating theme in this extract is injustice. The Creature, appeals to Victor’s humanity stating that legal law allows a man a fair hearing before he is judged: â€Å"The guilty are allowed, by human laws, bloody as they are, to speak in their own defence before they are condemned.† (56) He both demands and begs for the right to tell his story; a combination of pleading a legal case and redeeming himself before his father. Furthermore, Shelley’s allusion of Victor as the rebel figure Prometheus, who defied the Gods by stealing fire from Mount Olympus to give life to humans and was subjected to slow painful torture, is evident here. The Creature returns to haunt him, threatening him with comments such as â€Å"I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends.† (21). In addition, the Creature comes across as God’s Adam, entering the world as an innocent creature. The Creature justifies this by stating â€Å"I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.† (38) Shelley also uses oxymoron to highlight the Creature’s allusion to Adam and also Satan in Paradise Lost: â€Å"I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (36). By using linguistic devices such as oxymoron, the Creature’s eloquence is indeed remarkable. Even his most terrifying threats are expressed with elegantly constructed phrases: â€Å"If you will comply with my conditions, I will leave then and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satisfied with the blood of your remaining friends.†(21) Parallelism and repetition in Shelley’s writing produces a harmonious arrangement of words, suggesting balance and reasoning, which contrast the threats they convoy. Alternatively, Victor’s language is violent and aggressive. His speeches that seem melodramatic, include a minimum of three exclamation marks and theatrical expressions like, â€Å"Be gone, vile insect!† (13) The language here suggests that Victor is really the monstrous one rather than the Creature who comes across as a reasoning, balanced individual. Nevertheless, Victor’s threats seem ironic when we are reminded of the Creature’s superior physical strength and agility. He reminds Victor, â€Å"Thou hast made me more powerful than thyself.† (31)Despite, Victor calls him an â€Å"insect† (13), an image that seems more appropriately applied to Victor himself! This selection provides a blinding backdrop to the delayed meeting between Victor and his creature. At the end of the encounter, my sympathies for the Creature and Frankenstein change as they do several times throughout the novel. This jaw clenching scene is Shelley’s most powerful critique of Frankenstein when she allows the Creature to tell his own story and desires. Alas, Frankenstein’s feelings are emphasised by the words he uses, and he is to me, a prejudiced and heartless being. This passage could have also been used by Shelley to draw sympathy for the Creature. It is difficult to have pity on such an unsightly murderer like Frankenstein’s creation, yet Shelley, through the usage of numerous literary devices, is capable of convincing me that he deserved compassion, not condemnation. Nonetheless, by reading this passage, I have learned that with the Creature, we are forced to confront both figurative and literal monstrosity; questioning ourselves, who really is the monster in this story?