MIH 521 Health Program Evaluation (Mod 2 SLP) Essay

MIH 521 Health Program Evaluation (Mod 2 SLP) - Essay Example In this case the evaluation would be done of FitKids which is a program to keep kids healthier through activity. If we do not evaluate the programs we set up, we do not know how well they are doing and what their results are (attc-ne.org). The plan to evaluate according to Harvard Medical School plans(2009) includes the following things. Identify with precision what it is that the specific program has as a purpose and in the case of FitKids, the reason is to have healthier more active kids which prevents chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and orthopedic diseases. It is important to know whether the program has the potential to meet its goals and the terminology that is used in the evaluation study must be explained up front to assure a thorough understanding of the results. Threats to validity are always a problem in any kind of research but it is particularly so in an evaluation study. There are according to the Harvard School plan (2009) seven threats that must be watched for. Those are a history of events happening during the study that were not planned to occur. There is a maturation problem that can occur when the passage of time changes the study and one does not realize or plan for that as well as the fact that a testing issue could happen. Testing issues usually happen when there is bias in the choice of controls though, which is not likely to happen in this particular evaluation.

Ireland based on Dermot Bolger’s Family Essay Example for Free

Ireland based on Dermot Bolger’s Family Essay In The Family on Paradise Pier by Dermot Bolger, some interesting themes are brought to light about Ireland and the interactions of people living there. This is one work that tells the overarching story of Irish history from a cultural perspective and from a highly personalized point of view. Starting with the trials and tribulations of one particular family, Bolger uses this placeholder to delve into issues surrounding all of Ireland at that time. The Goold Verschoyle family, and more specifically the children, act as a clear representation of an entire class of Irish people growing up in the early twentieth century. Bolger paints the picture of an Ireland where people were often forced to struggle and where people experienced challenges as they attempted to make transitions. He paints a portrait of Ireland as a place that was fluid and dynamic, always changing with the times. Because of that, the people in Ireland had a hard time finding their place between the two World Wars and beyond. The political climate was such that people were forced to adapt quickly, and the socioeconomic conditions were such that even people with inherent advantages went through some struggles as a result of their heritage. It could be said that the Ireland in this Bolger work is a complicated and confusing place, and it is one where children are forced to constantly reconsider their goals, dreams, and aspirations. The author does his very best to frame the struggles of an entire generation through the experiences of one family, which might not be a complete portrait, but it is quite obviously representative of an entire sector of the population in question. One important theme to consider in this work is how Ireland changed over time. The author uses to young children in the story to show how expectations and how experiences changed as Ireland was brought into the war. In the beginning, Ireland was a place where children felt safe and they felt as if opportunity was on the horizon. The portrait of Ireland was a positive one at that point in time, though it would most certainly change as the story went along. The book, the author writes of young Eva, â€Å"Eva thought it was glorious to wake up with this sense of expectation. The entire day would be spent outdoors, with their family chattering away on the back of Mr. Ffrench’s aeroplane cart as Eva dangled her legs over the swaying side and held down her wide-brimmed hat with one hand in the breeze. Sure no other bliss to equal this† (Bolger, 2006). In this, one can see that Ireland was a land of opportunity in the early going. Children felt as if they had the world at their feet, with different chances abounding. It is certainly worth noting that these children grew up in a privileged home, but that does not change the fact that Ireland offered them something. It was a place where life could not get any better, and where the entire family had time to worry about leisure. As the story goes along, Bolger traces the development of Ireland, as it goes from being a place where children can play and enjoy themselves to being a place where fear is rampant. This all has to do with the war and the political transitions taking place in the country in the early twentieth century. As the work continues along, the children grow up, and that allows the author to take on some more serious themes. While the early part of the book is spent describing how lovely it is to grow up in Ireland at that time, the next portion of the book describes the children as they struggle to fit in with the changing political landscape. Additionally, it shows Ireland as a place where rigid rules dictate a host of different things. These rules dictate, specifically, how things are passed down and what role the oldest son will take as he grows older. This is something that was important in Irish society, and it is something that weighed heavy on the mind of Art. As with many items in this work, Bolger uses that character as a representative for his generation at large, tracing their collective struggle through his somewhat common experiences. The author writes, â€Å"All the house cats belonged to Father. Mother’s pleasure arose from holding any baby in her arms. Eva was the only baby she ever rejected, just for a brief moment after Eva was born. ‘Take her away’, she had ordered the nurse because – having already borne one daughter – she was convinced that she had been carrying that all-important son and heir† (Bolger, 2006). This shows not only the importance of the first born son in Irish tradition, but also the struggle that may have been felt by young women in Ireland at the time. Bolger paints a portrait of Ireland that is not exactly favorable toward women. Though it may have been a fine place to grow up for young Eva in the beginning, the society was most certainly slanted toward men and satisfying their desires. The fathers wanted and needed sons to carry on their bloodlines, which put a tremendous amount of pressure on the family dynamic, and causes some internal strife for daughters in Irish society at that time. Whether this is a clear and complete picture of Irish society is a debate all in itself, but this is the representation that Bolger puts into play with his words. One thing that that author is sure to touch on is the relationship of politics in the changing Irish society. Young men were almost forced to have a political opinion, and they were required to juggle this political activism with their own family responsibilities. Because the role of the first-born son was so important in Irish society, boys born into that role had certain expectations placed upon them. They were to be responsible, mature, and they were to make the best possible decisions. Family and society at large put these tremendous pressures on them, and boys were constantly pulled from their own thoughts to consider those things that the family held dear. In a society where the political landscape was constantly changing, this created an interesting dynamic for young boys. The author specifically uses the situation of Art to bring this point to light. He is one who is getting caught up the communist movement, taking to its nuances and trying to get more involved. Still, he does not quite understand how to balance his newfound political activism with the type of responsibilities and burdens that are placed on his shoulders by the family. The author writes of this, â€Å"All night Art had been arguing with university friends about Italian politics in Fletcher’s rooms near Blackfriars. Fletcher was not of like mind to the others: he saw nothing wrong in truckloads of Il Duce’s fascists storming into Milan to end the communist-led strike there with the black-shirted thugs tearing down the Bolshevik flags hanging from the town hall. Fletcher could not understand why Art took such matters so seriously† (Bolger, 2006). Art was caught up in the political movement and it put pressure on the entire family dynamic. As he became more of a free thinker, he began to question many aspects of Irish society. This inner dialogue provides the author with the perfect opportunity to expand out his thoughts on Irish society at large. This expansion goes into the â€Å"unchangeable† nature of life in Ireland. Though things all around the children were changing, with wars and political movements and new technologies, the children themselves had no ability to change their stars, at least according to the author. This is because of how the author paints Ireland as a society highly steeped in tradition. Things were set in stone years before, which meant that children essentially had their lives mapped out on the basis of random chance, and not on the basis of what they were capable of accomplishing. The first-born son is a perfect example of this, as he is to inherit all of the wealth built up by the family, while his siblings were left to fight for the scraps. This is something that Art had to grapple with, as he could not wrap his mind around why he had gotten so lucky in this regard. He saw this as a twisted society, and it was certainly not the portrait painted by a naive young girl in the early part of the book. As things changed in Irish society and the children grew, they came to find that perhaps their opportunities were more limited than they had originally figured. By no fault of their own, they were shoehorned into one particular life path, while first-born sons were able to enjoy the spoils of their fortunate timing. The author writes of this, â€Å"Yet the more he studied politics the more he realized that he was like them. All that distinguished him from his siblings was a fluke of birth, a throw of the dice yielding him absolute access to wealth while the others were left to scramble for minor bequests. Past generations had ensured that this was a chalice he could not refuse. Short of dying, Art had no means of breaking that cycle of indenture† (Bolger, 2006). What is interesting about this take is that the author actually paints it as a struggle for the person receiving the fortuitous treatment. This paints a portrait of Ireland as a society where even people who have the advantages are forced to feel trapped. Even though Art had everything that he could have asked for in order to make a success of his life, he still felt as if his life had little freedom. Perhaps that is why he associated so well with the communist movement, as it was something that seemed familiar to him over the long haul. It is important that the author painted the family as being happy and loving in the beginning, as it allows him to paint a stark contrast in the end. He represents the family as being torn apart by all of the environmental changes taking place in Ireland and in larger Europe during the years surrounding the World War. The author writes, â€Å"The Goold Vershoyle children were born into a respected freethinking Protestant family in a Manor House alive with laughter, debate and fascinating guests. But the world of picnics and childish infatuations is soon under threat as political changes within Ireland and the whole world encroach upon their private paradise† (Bolger, 2006). As the story goes on to describe, the family dynamic all about Ireland was being nearly destroyed by boys who felt the need to become politically active. As Art got deeper and deeper into the throws of communism, his family gained resentment, and the happy home was torn into something ugly. It was a place where people were once again being restricted, this time by the expectations that society so diligently placed on young men who were to inherit their family’s possessions. The author has Cousin George indicate in the book, â€Å"The family’s reputation was being indelibly eroded by Art’s willful madness in embracing communism, which he considered to be a cancer gradually infecting them all. Such lunacy might be all right for pagans like the Ffrenches, but his uncle was always too soft in allowing inflammatory discussions at the table† (Bolger, 2006). The need for discussion that burned within a newly active political generation was boiling over, causing tension and breeding strife that might not have been there in the beginning. In this, the author paints the portrait of an Ireland full of differing viewpoints, even within households. It was a place where people were forced to take sides, even if that was not a natural act for them. As things changed, the movement swept up everyone, so much so that it became a part of daily life for even the most respected families in the country. There are a number of representations of Ireland that are presented in this work, most of them dealing with the changing political landscape and the idea of opportunity. The author paints a portrait of Ireland that includes much inner-strife and he shows that it is a place where the goals and dreams of children are replaced by the realities of growing up. With communism thrown into the mix as an extra detractor from the family dynamic, he represents Ireland as a place that is highly splintered, with different viewpoints attempting to climb on top of one another for position and leverage. Works Cited Bolger, Dermot. â€Å"The Family on Paradise Pier†. 1 May 2006. HarperPerennial Purblishing.

LaSalle :: essays research papers

La Salle La Salle, Renà ©-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de (1643-1687), French explorer in North America, who navigated the length of the Mississippi River and claimed the Louisiana region for France. La Salle was born on November 22, 1643, in Rouen, France, and educated by the Jesuits. In 1666 he immigrated to Canada, was granted land on the St. Lawrence River, and became a trader. From 1669 to 1670 he explored the region south of Lakes Ontario and Erie, and he later claimed to have discovered the Ohio River in 1671. In the course of his explorations in the wilderness, La Salle became familiar with indigenous languages and traditions. Because of his capabilities, French colonial governor Louis de Buade, comte de Palluau et de Frontenac, appointed him commander of Fort Frontenac, then being built as a trading station. In 1674 La Salle was sent to France as Frontenac's representative to justify the building of the fort. His mission was successful, and he received a patent of nobility. La Salle subsequently conceived a plan for exploring and trading farther west, and in 1677 he again visited France to secure royal approval of his scheme. He returned with Italian explorer Henri de Tonty, who became his associate. In 1679 he set out on a preliminary expedition, and after establishing forts at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River and along the Illinois River, in February 1680, he sent a group to explore the upper Mississippi River. La Salle then returned to Fort Frontenac to procure new supplies and funds. By spring he was able to travel west again, and he and Tonty proceeded with their party of French and indigenous peoples to the Mississippi, which they descended to the Gulf of Mexico in 1682, claiming all the land drained by the river for Louis XIV, king of France, and naming the region Louisiana. La Salle subsequently commenced construction of forts in the new territory. When Frontenac was recalled to France later in 1682, however, La Salle's rivals succeeded in turning the new governor against him. Journeying to France in 1683, La Salle made a successful appeal to the king, who commended him for his discoveries and named him viceroy of North America. In 1684 he sailed from France with a fleet of four ships on an expedition to establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. When he reached the Gulf of Mexico he was unable to find the Mississippi,

How the PisoNet Became Successful Essay

Piso Net has been making quite a buzz in the metro since early 2010, but it’s not only until recently that the enterprise got the attention of business-minded folks. So what is Piso Net and how are things from a business standpoint? Is it really a viable source of extra income? Piso Net is basically a merge of PC rental and Arcade rental services wherein customers can pay the services by inserting coins to the machine. The rate is typically 4mins/peso which also amounts to the typical Internet Cafe at of Php15/hr. This rate can be tweaked higher or lower either to be more competitive and entice customers or gain more income by decreasing the minutes/peso So if there’s not much difference in pricing, what is the advantage of Piso Net over traditional Internet Cafes? Well some internet cafes have a fixed rates and minimum minutes of usage, this makes for not-so ideal scenario for budget-conscious Pinoys. And although the rate is the same, Piso Net offers a much flexible alternative that most internet cafes done, and that is to have more control on how much time and money a customer is willing to spend at a given time. The setup is rather simple with the bare PC parts are inside a wooden box similar to that of an Arcade machine or Videoke machine. Much like the Arcade machine, it is activated by inserting coin/s which triggers the machine. Once the time is consumed, the machine cuts off the display and will resume when a coin is inserted. The bottom wooden part inside the machine has a carved hole to collect the coins. What are the advantages compare to traditional inter cafà ©? There are also other providers who offer the same configuration for a cheaper price. Depending on your market, which is most of the time your neighbors, you can choose a configuration that suits your market’s needs (internet, gaming and/or document editing). Needless to say that gauging your market and choosing the right configuration is crucial to the success of the business and the amount of time to spend to return the investment. We did some research on how things are going on a revenue standpoint. We interviewed a housewife married to an OFW who runs a 3 Piso Net units business for little over six months now. She got it for Php20,000 apiece and placed it in small space inside their house. According to her the monthly revenue averages at Php17,000/mo. If we break down on a per week and per day, the revenues averages at Php4,265 and Php610 respectively. So a Piso Net unit generates more or less Php5,600/month, Php1,410/week and Php200 a day. This revenue is based on 16Ãâ€"7 operation on a not-so developed are In terms of cost of operation, she said that the 3 unitsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ electricity consumption amounts to Php2,700/month and Php1,000 for the internet service. Since she’s not paying for the location, the total cost of operation only sums to Php3,700/month. So if we deduct the TCO from the monthly average revenue (17,000 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 3,700), youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d have an average net revenue of Php13,300/month. At this pace, the turnaround for the return of investment is only 5 months. Another benefit of Piso Net is that it requires less effort to maintain unlike with Internet Cafes. All the personnel need to do is to make sure that he/she has more than enough stock of 1 peso coins and units are pretty much on auto-pilot. I only wish that the future iteration of the machine supports coin amounts bigger than a Peso because it can be a pain in the neck to drop a coin every now and then.

Living In A Multicultural Society Essay

Today it is not unusual to see people of all different races, ethnic backgrounds or cultural groups living in one society. Our society is formed of a mix of different people and sometimes it is not easy to define ones self. Since we live in a society that is influenced by many social aspects expressing ones personal identity may be a hard task. Aspects of society that make it hard to identify ones self include a persons sexual orientation, their ethnicity and their lifestyles. In society there are many labels that are put on people because of their sexual orientation. For years people have been taught that the correct way to live is to be in a heterosexual marriage. Andrew Sullivan states in his article What Are Homosexuals For? that â€Å"Heterosexual marriage is perceived as the primary emotional goal for your peers; and yet you know this cannot be your fate† (Sullivan 351). By stating this Sullivan makes it apparent that being a homosexual presents a challenge for the individual because he or she is considered different then others because of his or her sexual orientation. Sullivan also inquires the idea that without homosexuals in today’s society there are some things that would never be made sense of or even acknowledge. Sexual orentation may not be accepted by many in society, but it is a growing idea that people are becoming more adapt to because it is being exposed more and more in society. Another problematic area to identifying ones self is their ethnicity. Society sometimes does not make it easy to express yourself if you are not white. What I mean by this is that sometimes because you’re of a different race other then white like Spanish or African-American there may be disadvantages for you in society. For instance, I have a friend named Pedro and because Spanish is the only language he knows fluently before taking regular English courses in college he must first take and pass English as a second language. Language barriers are a part of everyday life for minorities. Not only does this mean that they will have to learn our English language it also means that they must find a way to hold on to their personal cultural backgrounds. A persons lifestyle can influence their role in society not only does it define who they are but it may present obstacles when trying to be accepted  in society. Zora Hurston lived in an all black society and was conditioned to their way of life and knew no other. Hurston states, â€Å"White people differed from colored people to me only in that they rode through town and never lived there† (Hurston 385). It was not until Hurston left her society that she realized that her lifestyle was much different then others. She expected that people of different cultures or who grew up in other areas had the same mind set as her, she found this not true. Despite the fact that she was colored there were many things that differed between her and society as whole. It was not just the color of her skin. A multicultural society presents obstacles to all humans, every person tries to find out who they are and where they stand in the world. Homosexual, heterosexual, Spanish, English, black or white it does not matter where you come from or what you look like there are always social changes, stereotypes, ethnicity differences and cultural differences, it’s just a way of life. Works Cited Huston. Zora Neale. â€Å"How It Feels to Be Colored Me.† The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A Linsford and John J. Rusziewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000. 384-88. Sullivan, Andrew. â€Å"What Are Homosexuals For?† The Presence of Others. Ed. Andrea A. Linsford and John J. Rusziewicz. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000. 350-59.

Cathy Songs Biography and Poems

Cathy Songs Biography and Poems Cathy Song is one of the most popular poets whose works have been highly recognized in academic circles, and many people still enjoy reading her literary works even today. In 1955 she was born at a place called Honolulu in Hawai’i. â€Å"She later went for her studies at Wellesley College in America where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977† (Nina, 1999).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cathy Songs Biography and Poems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More She also did a Masters degree at Boston University and graduated in 1981. She started developing her skills in poetry while in high school and she continued writing even in college. Her literature works came to the limelight in 1983 when she wrote a poem called â€Å"picture Bride† (Nina, 1999). â€Å"This poem became the best during that year, and she won the Yale series of Younger Poets competition that was indeed a very prestigio us national poetry award† (Song, 1983). Most of her poems majorly revolve around multicultural and family issues. She used her poetic skills to express her passionate feelings of multiculturalism. For example, she was originally an Asian but she embraced western culture when she went to America. She was one of the poets who extensively participated in Asian American poetry, which is one of the schools of thought used in writing poems in U.S.A. Most of the poets who subscribe to this school of thought majorly examine the idea of cultural diversity. Another characteristic of this school of thought is that it widely recognizes the importance of involving women in writing poems as can be seen in the case of Cathy Song. Her works acted as a great source of inspiration to not only American women, but also to other poets who were not Asians. â€Å"Asian Americans generally have resisted the common stereotypes as the exotic or good minority, but they have made a comparison between As ian and Western literary traditions† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). One of Cathy’s most striking poems is called â€Å"Picture Bride† and it can be analyzed as follows. Picture bride is a free verse poem which has a total of thirty four lines. The title of this poem may signify â€Å"the vision of a stereotypically picture-perfect bride decked out with veil, lace, and train† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). However, its title is talking about the matching practice which is associated with many Asians. In this poem, the persona is trying to figure out how her grandmother felt at the age of twenty three years, when she travelled to Hawaii and got married to a laborer who was thirteen years older than her. Most of the lines in this poem contain questions which are meant to create the travelling scene. The poet also used a lot of images to develop the rhythm in her poem hence it can be easily recited. Some styles h ave also been used in the poem to enhance the theme (Song, 1983).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even though Cathy Song emerged as a great poet, her works have met some criticism from some scholars who contend that she over emphasized on familial images. For example, â€Å"Gayle K. Fujita-Sato has argued that Picture Bride describes both a personal history and a paradigm for analyzing multicultural writing† (Song, Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series), 2007). Hence, Picture Bride has been seen to be describing a â€Å"third world paradigm† of writing. In addition to this, Richard Hugo also questioned Cathy’s level of restraint in poetry. Nonetheless, Cathy Song made a great contribution to Asian American poetry and she has left a great legacy of poets (Song, 1983). References Nina, B. (1999). Norton anthology of American literature. New York : Norton and Company. Song, C. (2007). Cloud moving hands (pitt poetry series). Washington. D.C: University of Pittsburgh Press. Song, C. (1983). Picture bride ( Yale series if young star poets). New York: Yale University Press.

buy custom Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation essay

buy custom Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation essay Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a medical condition that results to a serious disorder in an individual blood when the proteins that control blood clotting become abnormally active. This process results to a person developing small blood clots inside every blood vessel throughout the body; these small clots will eventually use up the coagulation proteins and platelets that are substances responsible for blood clotting will not be able to operate sufficiently. Thus disrupting the normal process of blood clotting incase there is bleeding from the skin thus resulting to excessive bleeding (Armola, 2007). These small blood clots most likely affects the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and surgical wounds it also affects the normal flow of blood to organs such as the liver, heart, brain amongst others thus resulting to malfunction of an individuals body (Dressler, 2004).This condition can be rapid or even slow and chronic depending on the patients medical conditio n but once a patient is suffering from this condition there are high chances of the patient developing multiple organ failures and death may eventually occur. This condition is responsible for a variety of medical conditions including Ischemia, Thrombosis, and Excessive Bleeding (Dressler, 2004). Ischemia is a condition where the an individual becomes thinner and thinner because for the patients body organs dont get enough supply of blood this is as a result ofthe blocked blood vessels as a result of the small clots inside their blood vessels; thus making it impossible for the blood to flow in its normal order into the vital body organs thus making a patient possess anemia like symptoms. Thrombosis is also another medical condition that is characterized with the clotting of blood in the vessels, thus resulting to the obstruction of the flow of blood throughout the circulatory system even if the body tissue isnt injured the blood will clot while inside the blood vessel and in consequence resulting to the blocking of the blood vessels (Armola, 2007). The condition is also responsible of excess bleeding this is as a result of the bursting of the blood vessels as a result of the pressure from the clotting and in some case it is the case of a cut the blood platelet and proteins will not be in a position of clotting in order to stop the bleeding thus resulting to excessive bleeding of an individual. Causes and the treatments Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) There are several factors that are considered as the main contributors of these conditions in an individual they include cancers of the lungs, pancreas, and stomach and even prostrate cancer viral infections and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (APML) also results to the disorder. Another cause iincludes the cases of massive tissue injuries like Trauma, Burns and Extensive Surgeries. Infections also play a significant factor in one developing the disorder infections like malaria, Gramnegative sepsis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Histoplasmosis amongst other infections results to the condition. Miscellaneous conditions like Shock, Stroke, Snake Bites and Liver Diseases are also contributors of this condition. The notable symptoms of this condition includes haemorrhage this is where an individual will be acutely ill and experience constant bleed in body openings like the mouth, nose, ears that bleed constantly with no indication of the blood clotting leading to excess blood loss. Other sign for the disorder will be Extensive Bruises and Renal Failures. A patient that is diagnosed with the acute or mild cases of hemorrhage is subjected to treatment after identifying the individuals condition and from the identification of the cause of the condition a patient is subjected to the relevant treatment; thus in cases of mild cases of no bleeding a patient is subjected to fresh frozen plasma will be administered in an individuals blood stream in order to replenish the blood clotting (Dressler, 2004). While in the case of severe cases of hemorrhage the patient is subjected increased numbers of platelets in his blood stream this is in order to help in the clotting of the blood in the cases of a cut or open wounds. Buy custom Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation essay

Heros Journey 101 Definition and Step-by-Step Guide (With Checklist!)

Heros Journey 101 Definition and Step-by-Step Guide (With Checklist!) The Hero's Journey: an Author's Guide to Plotting Ever notice that many stories seem to have a similar pattern? There’s always a protagonist who goes on an adventure, makes new friends, encounters roadblocks, fights a bad guy, and returns home a changed person. In fact, we can sum it up for you in two words: Hero’s Journey.This story structure is as old as time. From Theseus and the Minotaur to The Lion King, so many narratives follow this pattern that it’s ingrained in our cultural DNA today. In this post, we'll show you how to make this classic plot structure work for you - and recap it all in a neat infographic. Ready to answer the call of adventure? Let’s cross the barrier.What is the Hero’s Journey archetype?The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure that's shared by stories worldwide. Coined by academic Joseph Campbell in 1949, it refers to a wide-ranging category of tales in which a character ventures out to get what they need, faces conflict, and ultimately triumphs over adversity. Here are the three stages of the hero’s journey:The Departure Act: the Hero leaves the Ordinary World.The Initiation Act: the Hero ventures into unknown territory (the "Special World") and is birthed into a true champion through various trials and challenges.The Return Act: the Hero returns in triumph.In 2007, screenwriter Christopher Vogler refined Campbell’s original structure in his book,  The Writer’s Journey.  In it, Vogler expanded upon Campbell’s three phases, defining 12 stages that make it up. (This is the version that we’ll be dissecting later in this post.) The Hero's Journey has its fingerprints in everything from The Lion King  and horror novels to Star Wars and Arrival. But keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to follow it beat by beat. You can instead think of it as a map: you can stray from the set path whenever you like. But when you’re struggling to figure out what should happen next, it can act as a narrative arc guide to suggest what the next milestone should be. What are the 12 stages of the Hero's Journey? The 12 Hero’s Journey StepsThe Hero's Journey is a model for both plot points and character development: as the Hero traverses the world, they'll undergo inner and outer transformation at each stage of the journey. The 12 steps of the hero's journey are...1. The Ordinary World 2. The Call of Adventure 3. Refusal of the Call 4. Meeting the Mentor 5. Crossing the First Threshold 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies 7. Approach to the Inmost Cave 8. The Ordeal 9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) 10. The Road Back 11. Resurrection 12. Return with the ElixirBelieve it or not, this story structure also applies across mediums and genres (and also works when your protagonist is an anti-hero!). To show you how it can be used outside of your average sword-and-sorcery books, we've adopted the 1976 film  Rocky as an example in each step. 1. Ordinary WorldIn which we meet our Hero.The journey has yet to start. Before our Hero discovers a strange new world, we must first understand the status quo: their ordinary, mundane reality.It’s up to this opening leg to set the stage, introducing the Hero to readers. Importantly, it lets readers identify with the Hero as a â€Å"normal† person in a â€Å"normal† setting, before the journey begins.Example of the Ordinary World: In the opening of Rocky, Rocky Balboa is introduced as a mediocre boxer and loan collector - just doing his best to live day-to-day in a poor part of Philadelphia.2. Call to AdventureIn which an adventure starts.The call to adventure is all about booting the Hero out of their comfort zone. In this stage, they are generally confronted with a problem or challenge they can't ignore. This catalyst can take many forms, as Campbell points out in Hero with a Thousand Faces. The Hero can, for instance:Decide to go forth of their own volition, i.e. Theseus upon arriving in Athens,Be sent abroad by a benign or malignant agent, i.e. Odysseus setting off on his ship in The Odyssey,Stumble upon the adventure as a result of a mere blunder, i.e. Dorothy when she’s swept up in a tornado in The Wizard of Oz,Be casually strolling when some passing phenomenon catches the wandering eye and lures one away from the frequented paths of man, i.e. Elliot in E.T. upon discovering a lost alien in the t ool shed.The stakes of the adventure and the Hero's goals become clear. The only question: will he rise to the challenge?Example of the Call to Adventure: Apollo Creed, the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, decides to make a big fight interesting by giving a no-name a chance to challenge him. Intrigued by the nickname, â€Å"The Italian Stallion,† he rings Rocky up.3. Refusal of the CallIn which the Hero digs in their feet.Great, so the Hero’s received their summons. Now they’re all set to be whisked off to defeat evil, right?Not so fast. The Hero might first refuse the call to action. It’s risky and there are perils - like spiders, trolls, or perhaps a creepy uncle waiting back at Pride Rock. It’s enough to give anyone pause.In Star Wars, for instance, Luke Skywalker initially refuses to join Obi-Wan on his mission to rescue the princess. It’s only when he discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by stormtroopers that he changes his mind.Example of the Refusal of the Call: Rocky says, â€Å"Thanks, but no thanks,† to Creed’s invitation. He’s reluctant, given that he has no trainer and is incredibly out of shape. Follow Rocky as he traverses the Hero's Journey in this post 4. Meeting the MentorIn which the Hero acquires a personal trainer.The Hero's decided to go on the adventure - but they’re not ready to spread their wings yet. They're much too inexperienced at this point and we don't want them to do a fabulous belly-flop off the cliff.Enter the mentor: someone who helps the Hero, so that they doesn't make a total fool of themselves (or get themselves killed). The mentor provides practical training, profound wisdom, a kick up the posterior, or something abstract like grit and self-confidence.Wise old wizards seem to like being mentors. But mentors take many forms, from witches to hermits and suburban karate instructors. They might literally give weapons to prepare for the trials ahead, like Q in the James Bond series. Or perhaps the mentor is an object, such as a map. In all cases, they prepare the Hero for the next step.Example of Meeting the Mentor: In steps former boxer Mickey â€Å"Mighty Mick† Goldmill, who sees potential in Rocky and starts training him physically and mentally for the fight.5. Crossing the First ThresholdIn which the Hero enters the other world in earnest.Now the Hero is ready - and committed - to the journey. This marks the end of the Departure stage and is when the adventure really kicks into the next gear. As Vogler writes: â€Å"This is the moment that the balloon goes up, the ship sails, the romance begins, the wagon gets rolling.†From this point on, there’s no turning back.Like our Hero, you should think of this stage as a checkpoint for your story. Pause and re-assess your bearings before you continue into unfamiliar territory. Have you:Launched the central conflict? If not, here’s a post on types of conflict to help you out.Established the theme of your book? If not, check out this post that’s all about creating theme  and motifs.Made headway into your character development? If not, this character profile template and these character development exercises may be useful.Example of Crossing the First Threshold: Rocky fully accepts the gauntlet to square up when he crosses the threshold into his love interest Adrian’s house and asks her out on a date.6. Tests, Allies, EnemiesIn which the Hero faces new challenges and gets a squad.When we step into the Special World, we notice a definite shift. The Hero might be discombobulated by this unfamiliar reality and its new rules. This is generally one of the longest stages in the story, as our protagonist gets to grips with this new world.This makes a prime hunting ground for the series of tests to pass! Luckily, there are many ways for the Hero to get into trouble:In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,  Spencer, Bethany, â€Å"Fridge,† and Martha get off to a bad start when they bump into a herd of bloodthirsty hippos.In his first few months at Hogwarts, Harry Potter manages to fight a troll, almost fall from a broomstick and die, and get horribly lost in the Forbidden Forest.Marlin and Dory encounter three â€Å"reformed† sharks , get shocked by jellyfish, and are swallowed by a blue whale en route to finding Nemo.This stage often expands the cast of characters. Once the protagonist is in the Special World, he will meet allies and enemies - or foes that turn out to be friends, and vice versa. He will learn a new set of rules from them. Saloons and seedy bars are popular places for these transactions, as Vogler points out (so long as the Hero survives them).Example of Tests, Allies, Enemies: Rocky continues to try and win over Adrian while making a dubious friend in Paulie.7. Approach to the Inmost CaveIn which the Hero gets closer to his goal.This isn’t a physical cave. Instead, the â€Å"inmost cave† refers to the most dangerous spot in the other realm - whether that’s the villain’s chambers, the lair of the fearsome dragon, or the Death Star. Almost always, it is where the ultimate goal of the quest is located. Everything you wanted to know about the Hero's Journey - and more! Note that the protagonist hasn’t entered the Inmost Cave just yet. This stage is all about the approach to it. It covers all the prepwork that's needed in order to defeat the villain.Example of the Approach to the Inmost Cave: The Inmost Cave in Rocky is Rocky’s own mind. He fears that he’ll never amount to anything - something that he reveals when he butts heads with his trainer, Mickey, in his apartment.8. OrdealIn which the Hero faces his biggest test of all thus far. Of all the tests the Hero has faced, none have made them hit rock bottom - until now. Vogler describes this phase as a â€Å"black moment.† Campbell refers to it as the â€Å"belly of the whale.† Both indicate some grim news for the Hero.The protagonist must now confront their greatest fear. If they survive it, they will emerge transformed. This is a critical moment in the story, as Vogler explains that it will â€Å"inform every decision that the Hero makes from this point forward.†The Ordeal is sometimes not the climax of the story. There’s more to come. But you can think of it as the main event of the second act - the one in which the Hero actually earns the title of â€Å"Hero.†Example of the Ordeal: The start of the training montage marks the beginning of Rocky’s Ordeal. He pushes through it until he glimpses hope ahead while running up the museum steps.9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)In which the Hero sees light at the end of the tunnel.Our Hero’s been through a lot. However, the fruits of their labor are now at hand - if they can just reach out and grab them! The â€Å"reward† is the object or knowledge the Hero has fought throughout the entire journey to hold.Once the protagonist has it in their possession, it generally has greater ramifications for the story. Vogler offers a few examples of it in action:Luke rescues Princess Leia and captures the plans of the Death Star - keys to defeating Darth Vader.Dorothy escapes from the Wicked Witch’s castle with the broomstick and the ruby slippers - keys to getting back home.Example of the Reward (Seizing the Sword): Rocky’s reward is the return of his faith in himself. He regains the self-esteem to realize that he has the stuff to take on Apollo Creed - win or lose.10. The Road BackIn which the light at the end of the tunnel might be a little further than the Hero thought.The story's not over just yet, as this phase marks the beginning of Act Three. Now that he's seized the reward, the Hero tries to return to the Ordinary World, but more dangers (inconveniently) arise on the road back from the Inmost Cave.More precisely, the Hero must deal with the consequences and aftermath of the previous act: the dragon, enraged by the Hero who’s just stolen a treasure from under his nose, starts the hunt. Or perhaps the opposing army gathers to pursue the Hero across a crowded battlefield. All further obstacles for the Hero, who must face them down before they can return home.Example of the Road Back: On New Year’s Day, the fight between Rocky and Creed is held. Rocky realizes the challenge that lies before him in the first few rounds, in which both men are more or less equally matched.11. ResurrectionIn which the last test is met.Here is the true climax of the story. Everything that happened prior to this stage culminates in a crowning test for the Hero, as the Dark Side gets one last chance to triumph over the Hero.Vogler refers to this as a â€Å"final exam† for the Hero - they must be â€Å"tested once more to see if they have really learned the lessons of the Ordeal.† It’s in this Final Battle that the protagonist goes through one more â€Å"resurrection.† As a result, this is where you’ll get most of your miraculous near-death escapes, la James Bond's dashing deliverances. If the Hero survives, they can start looking forward to a sweet ending.Example of the Resurrection: Rocky’s knocked down more than a few times as the fight continues. The entire fight winds up lasting 15 rounds and takes both men to the brink of exhaustion.12. Return with the ElixirIn which our Hero has a triumphant homecoming.Finally, the Hero gets to return home. However, they go back a different person than when they started out: they’ve grown and matured as a result of the journey they’ve taken.But we’ve got to see them bring home the bacon, right? That’s why the protagonist must return with the â€Å"Elixir,† or the prize won during the journey, whether that’s an object or knowledge and insight gained.Of course, it’s possible for a story to end on an Elixir-less note - but then the Hero would be doomed to repeat the entire adventure.Example of the Return with the Elixir: Rocky doesn’t win the fight - but he doesn’t care. He’s won back his confidence and beaten his mental demons. And he’s got Adrian, who tell him that she loves him.Free Infographic: The Hero’s Journey TemplateThe following infographic can be used as a hero’s journey template. Follow Bilbo along on each of the 12 steps of his journey - as you go through, plot your own character’s journey through the: Ordinary World, Call of Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Meeting the Mentor, Crossing the First Threshold, Tests, Allies, Enemies, Approach to the Inmost Cave, Ordeal, Reward (Seizing the Sword), Road Back, Resurrection, and Return with the Elixir! Looking beyond the Hero’s JourneyIt’s important to remember that this story structure was conceived as a way to better understand story structure. It’s just one helpful way to outline a novel and dissect a plot. For more longstanding theories on the topic, you can go this way to read about the ever-popular Three-Act Structure or here to discover Dan Harmon's Story Circle and  three more prevalent structures. Cool infographic alert! Analyzing the Hero's Journey: As Seen in the Hobbit Remember, rules are made to be broken. There’s plenty of room to play within its confines. Do you want to experiment with an abbreviated â€Å"Resurrection† stage, as J.K. Rowling did in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Are you more interested in exploring the journey of an anti-hero? It’s all possible. Once you understand the basics of this universal story structure, you can use and bend it in ways that disrupts reader expectations.Are you planning on using the Hero's Journey in your book? What's your favorite example of this structure? Let us know in the comments below!

America a Concise History Presidents Clinton and Bus Essay

America a Concise History Presidents Clinton and Bus - Essay Example It is a common issue to come across many nations making policy recommendations on how to structure tax system to ensure the government operates efficiently. There was the raging debate of effecting tax cut on the middle class so that the economic burden may be lifted on this section of the economic and social stratification of US population. This was a critical reform which was running parallel with the promise of reducing the budget deficit to ensure that US was in the right trace for economic prosperity (Henretta & Edwards, 2012) . This was fairly tricky as the small factions of former soviet were forming states and required support which would consolidate US power in better parts of Europe and parts of Asia. The Middle East problems had equally began to boil and Clinton had to come up with the best approach to prove to the world American’s effort towards stabilizing the region against the backdrop of the growing tension and impending economic explosion. What are key features of George W. Bush’s presidency during the 2000s? Unites States situation in respect of social, economic and political policies faced several hurdles during the 2000s under the presidency of George W. Bush. It is during this time that the world had begun to put US on focus regarding its international policies on socio-economic and political policies. Bush inherited several challenges that were left unresolved by the past regime and he stood the test to bring confidence to the US citizens. His greatest policy concerned international relations o cement the power of US in dictating the economic direction of the entire world against increasing opposition from the discontented Middle east leaders like Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Bush administration was overwhelmed by the spirit of effecting globalization across the world to boost the overall welfare of the Americans and influence several decisions of the US congress on foreign policies (Henretta & Edwards, 2012). One issue that cover the better part of media reports during Bush leadership wa s the Middle East crisis and threaten economic problem this situation meant for the US. Bush is considered one of the ferocious and courageous leaders in US history who made radical decisions on how to tame the issues in Middle East and this was commenced by hunting Saddam Hussein and capturing him in a bid to plant sober political structure in Iraq. A solution to Iraq problems which was assumed to be emanating from inhuman

Managerial Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Managerial Decision Making - Essay Example ore.   Of course, there are also innumerable ways to "turn off" your associates and it is equally important to recognize these poor practices so that they can be avoided.   A disgruntled salesperson is unlikely to present a shining countenance to a prospective customer (Nowduri, 2013). Some store owners and/or managers prefer to drive rather than lead and this manifests itself in a tense and uneasy store atmosphere.   Fear destroys confidence as well as pride in ones place of employment; its effect on productivity is negative and destructive in the long run. It is desirable for management to be highly enthusiastic, articulate and effervescent although each person comes across in a different way (Al-Zhrani, 2010). Sincerity, fairness and candor are essential.   True personal interest in your associate’s problems is valuable. One of the very best ways to motivate is to consciously try to help bring out the very best in your staff and to do everything in your power to develop leadership talent and knowledge.   There is great satisfaction in being able to point to successful people and honestly claim that you contributed to that success.   This kind of interest comes through to all your people and enhances the image of your store (Riabacke, 2006). Motivation and teaching are closely related.   They should start from the first day of employment. Discipline as well as rewards are part of the motivation program.   Both should be thoroughly and constantly explained to be effective. Loyalty and pride are instilled by making people feel they are important to the business; that their opinions are sought and listened to; that they are respected as persons and treated accordingly and that they will share in the success of the business in the degree of their productivity and contribution.   This all comes under the umbrella of involvement;  Involving people to bring out the very best (Bazerman, 2012). No matter the size of your company, having a team of motivated,

Recidivism in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Recidivism in America - Research Paper Example Despite all these suggestions as the reason for the crimes, there still is an escalating prison system with no relief in sight (Clear, Resig & Cole, 2010, p4) Recidivism A 2002 study survey showed that among 275,000 prisoners that were set free in 1994, 67.5% were arrested within the next 3 years, and 51.8% were back in prison (Langan el at, 2002, p 26). The study found no evidence that spending more time in the prison raises the recidivism rate and those that serve the longest time had a slightly lower rate of arrest than every other category of prisoners (Clear, Resig & Cole, 2006, p 3). This is likely explained by the older average age of those released with the longest sentences. The study shows a strong negative correlation between recidivism and age upon release. Recidivism is, for that reason, a culture of both the young and the old. The prisoners commit the same offenses after their release because the causes of their arrest ignored before they are set free from the prisons o r they lack proper rehabilitation while they are in prison. Comparison Of Recidivism In America With Other Countries The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world (743 per 100,000 populations). Russia takes the second position with a high rate of (577 per 100,000); followed by Rwanda (561 per 100,000). By comparison; the incarceration rate in England and Wales; October 2011 was 155 people imprisoned per 100,000 residents. The rate for Norway in May 2010 was 71 inmates per 100,000; Netherlands in April 2010 was 94 per 100,000; Australia in June 2010 was 133 per 100,000 and New Zealand in October 2010 was 203 per 100,000 (New York Times section A, 2008, p 1). Comparisons give a reduction according to the countries listing above. Still it is the length of sentences that truly distinguishes American prison policy, the mere number of sentences imposed would not place the United States at the top of the incarceration lists. If the lists were compiled based o n annual admissions to prison per capita, several European countries would outpace the United States (New York Times section A, 2008, p 1). Causes Of Recidivism In America, the rate of incarceration has increased dramatically. Prisons have been full to capacity with deplorable conditions and long lasting side effects of inmates, their families and communities in New York. In many prisons, the crimes continue on the inside and further affect outside crimes related activities. The main reasons for this increment include social environment, peer pressure, family structure, state-level policies and lack of employment opportunities (Scott 2010, p 4). However, other things that need to be relied are the individual’s circumstances before incarceration, things that happen before they are incarcerated and the period after they are released from prison. Both immediate and long-term considerations will put poverty and difficulties as the main reason for the causes of recidivism. Drug Ab use Treatment And Recidivism The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between drug use and recidivism among criminals and to consider how generalized drug treatment participation and completion further affect this relationship. Among researchers and policy makers, a consensus reveals drug use as linked to criminal behavior and recidivism. Further, drug treatment reduces the chances of recidivism (Mackenzie, 1997). On average, 65% of individuals who

Biology Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Biology Questions - Essay Example Prokaryotic initially prior infusion with the other forms was able to support itself via utilizing free O2 in processing both its energy and food. This is via diminutive heterotrophs mitochondria via respiration and ensuring that they produced useful food and energy liable for their sustainability. Primarily, the Eukaryote Evolution bears two pathways, which encompass Endosymbiosis and Membrane infolding (Virtual Fossil Museum). Researchers have accepted and utilized Endosymbiosis in expounding the evolution of Eukaryote contrary to the latter pathway. Membrane infolding process contends that unit’s’ membrane engulfed the invading prokaryote where instead of digesting the cell wall it remained intact and formed an extra membrane surrounding protomitochondria and protochloroplast (Virtual Fossil Museum). Hence, the external membrane developed Eukaryote characteristics where its continued evolution yielded to endomembrane system (The virtual Fossil Museum). Conversely, En dosymbiosis claims that two entities that are diverse structurally fused due to their entirety dependence (symbiosis). The theory contends that eukaryote mitochondrion emanated from autotrophic organism engulfed by a large heterotrophic entity (Virtual Fossil Museum). Prokaryote was unable to utilize O2 to support its metabolisms process losting its outer cell wall, though, it developed an extra flexible membrane. This yielded to more infolding forming the nucleus and diverse numerous internal organelles as indicated in Fig.1. Alternatively, Eukaryote engulfed alphaproteobacteria (autotroph) without digesting it, which utilized O2 in synthesizing energy via photosynthesis (Fig. 2). This established symbiosis relationship existing amid the Eukaryote and the autotroph in the cell (The virtual Fossil Museum). Eukaryote’s responsibilities entail protection and nutrients provisions while the endosymbiont prokaryote energy via respiration (Virtual Fossil Museum). Symbiosis normally entails diverse entities that usually exist in the same environment and co-exist via mutual dependence, for instance, Eukaryote and prokaryote. This is via each entity having a distinct role, which the other cannot undertake on its own, but it is essential for own continued existence. Figure 1: Endosymbiosis Theory Retrieved from http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Evolution/Endosymbiosis.htm Figure 2: Endosymbiosis Theory. Retrieved from http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Evolution/Endosymbiosis.htm Qn. #2 Zonation entails how diverse ecosystems normally distribute themselves owing to their capability to withstand certain climatic aspects and can adequately thrive in their midst. Primarily, it depends on altitude, latitude or other factors that prompts diverse ecosystems and tend to inhabit certain geographical positions than others. Since, they do possess the necessary adaptation characteristics; these will enable their sustainability contrary to others, which could become extinct if exposed to the region (Keddy 101). Local zonation refers to small fragments having distinct characteristics and ecosystems that normally inhabit certain region, for illustration, intertidal zonation. This lies amid the high and low tidal lines, mainly on the shoreline (Keddy 269). Animals or plants meant to dwell in this region entail that they do bear diverse

Decline in Global Income Inequality Research Paper

Decline in Global Income Inequality - Research Paper Example   Globalization has resulted in multicultural societies that have encouraged cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. The societies across the globe have become more tolerant. At the same time, the governments across the globe have introduced radical reforms in their socio-economic and political system to make people from different culture, race and nationality adjust within the new social order with more ease. The businesses have also realized the need to incorporate changes that would need the changing requirements of the fast transforming dynamics of the societies. The compulsions of the contemporary times have therefore promoted the need for the common goal and collective responsibility for peaceful co-existence.   According to Stiglitz (2007), globalization has brought in more influx of multinational companies in the developing countries which have all negotiated with the intent purpose of benefiting the parent companies. The monopoly of American influence in all the leading international financial institutes like World Bank and IMF have followed the American policy of one-way transparency whereby the developed and under-developed countries, must open their market and relax their laws to suit the interests of the multinational companies. While it may be true to a certain extent, it also cannot be denied that business from developed countries has significantly improved the economy of underdeveloped countries and facilitated the socio-economic growth of the developing nations. Firebaugh (2004) has also affirmed that globalization had actually operated to boost industrialization in the developing countries.   

Barry Humphries and Patrick White Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Barry Humphries and Patrick White - Essay Example He was not only an actor but also a script writer, a film producer, an award winning writer, a star of London's West End musical theatre, and a landscape painter. Another noted name in Australian theatre was Patrick Victor Martindale White, also known as Patrick White. White was an author who was considered a major English-language novelist. During his career he published eight plays, twelve novels and two short story collections. "His fiction freely employs shifting narrative vantagepoints and a stream of consciousness technique" (Wikipedia 2007). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1973. Barry Humphries was born on 17 February 1934 in Melbourne, Australia. He is a noted Australian actor and comedian. Humphries nick name was 'Bazza'. Other than acting Barry Humphries also wrote comic strips. His comic strip Barry McKenzie about Australian living in London appeared in the magazine Private Eye. His nick name Bazza gave Australian slang wide distribution, particularly jokes on drinking and its results, much of which was created by Humphries himself. His childhood set the stage for his eventual career of an actor. Barry's father spent little time with him so he spent a lot of his time playing disguise in his backyard. His parent called him Sunny Sam. During his teens he began to go against the constraints of conservative suburban life and became artistic. When he was nine Humphries' mother gave all his books to the Salvation Army. This event led him to becoming a collector of rare books, a reader, a theatre fan and a painter. He dressed in a black cloak and black homburg and invented his first character, "Dr Aaron Azimuth". Barry was educated at Camberwell Grammar School. He was also sent to Melbourne Grammar School where he matriculated with excellent results in Art and English. Later he spent two years studying law, fine arts and philosophy at the University of Melbourne. During this time he became a part of Dada, the deconstructive and absurdist art movement. The Dadaist performances and pranks have become a part of Australian folklore. After leaving university he joined the newly formed Melbourne theatre company. It was now that he created the first version of his most famous character Edna Everage. The old fashioned housewife originally created as a character of Australian suburban narrow-mindedness, evolved over forty years to become a flamboyantly dressed, internationally acclaimed star, Dame Edna Everage. Humphries' other humorous characters include, nephew of Dame Edna, Barry McKenzie which went on to become a legendary comic strip hero. Sir Les Patterson, who has not only contributed to the Australian vernacular but also borrowed from it. An underground film-maker from the 1960's Martin Agrippa, a trade union official Lance Boyle, a failed tycoon Owen Steele and an art salesman Morrie O'Connor. Later, Humphries moved to Sydney and joined Sydney's Philip Street Revue Theatre. He appeared in Australia's first ever production of Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot, as Estragon. In the 1960s Humphries settled in London, where he became friends with leading artists from the British comedy scene including Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, Willie Rushton and the like. While in London he

Decline in Global Income Inequality Research Paper

Decline in Global Income Inequality - Research Paper Example   Globalization has resulted in multicultural societies that have encouraged cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. The societies across the globe have become more tolerant. At the same time, the governments across the globe have introduced radical reforms in their socio-economic and political system to make people from different culture, race and nationality adjust within the new social order with more ease. The businesses have also realized the need to incorporate changes that would need the changing requirements of the fast transforming dynamics of the societies. The compulsions of the contemporary times have therefore promoted the need for the common goal and collective responsibility for peaceful co-existence.   According to Stiglitz (2007), globalization has brought in more influx of multinational companies in the developing countries which have all negotiated with the intent purpose of benefiting the parent companies. The monopoly of American influence in all the leading international financial institutes like World Bank and IMF have followed the American policy of one-way transparency whereby the developed and under-developed countries, must open their market and relax their laws to suit the interests of the multinational companies. While it may be true to a certain extent, it also cannot be denied that business from developed countries has significantly improved the economy of underdeveloped countries and facilitated the socio-economic growth of the developing nations. Firebaugh (2004) has also affirmed that globalization had actually operated to boost industrialization in the developing countries.   

Social Media and Loneliness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social Media and Loneliness - Essay Example The irony of situation is that social media has isolated man from man. At one level it has brought strangers across the globe close together and at the same time the social media have dissociated people from their immediate environment. Young Internet users become so engrossed in their virtual social interactions that they are totally unaware of the people sitting around them. This behavior results in isolation and loneliness of the youth. The connection with social media disconnects them from their real life friends, family and other acquaintances. Many researchers, psychologists and educationist have showed concerned towards the heavy use of internet by teens and in this connection, they have, tried to find out the impact of this excessive use on the social life and education of adolescents. Subrahmanyam and SÃŒÅ'mahel cite a study conducted in Pittsburg which collected the data about teen internet users of 93 families and through questionnaires and interviews found out that â€Å" more heavy users of the internet showed a decline in social involvement ( communication within the family and size of people’s social networks) and increases in loneliness and depression† (131). Jordon while looking into educational implications of excessive use of social media by adolescents has also tried to connect it with loneliness and depression of the youth. He has suggested control of such activity by parents and teachers for the proper â€Å" health and development† of young persons (qtd. in Mcwhirter et al. 125). In March this year, the  NSPCC  published a detailed breakdown of calls made to ChildLine in the last five years. Though overall the number of calls from children and teenagers had risen by just 10%, calls about loneliness had nearly tripled, from 1,853 five years ago to 5,525 in 2009. Among boys, the number of calls about loneliness

Music-Induced Affect as Treatment of Elderly Depression Essay Example for Free

Music-Induced Affect as Treatment of Elderly Depression Essay Abstract   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Depression in elderly patients is one of the most prevalent psychological problems today. However, research and knowledge regarding this subject is limited and those involved in the application of this knowledge to help elderly individuals experiencing depression are lacking in efficient strategies and training. This paper aims to explore the efficacy of inducing positive affect through music as a strategy in treating depression in elderly individuals. The paper focuses on the effectiveness of music alone as tool in treating depression based on its capability to induce positive affect. It is hypothesized that positive affect continuously induced via music within a set time-period will lessen signs of depression. Introduction Depression has recently been recognized as one of main psychological problems facing society today. Literature shows that treatment of depression needs to be specialized in terms of the population it addresses. Certain groups, such as adolescents, respond to certain treatments differently when compared to another group, such as the elderly. (Aryan Alvidres, 2001; Von Kroff et al, 2001) Depression among the elderly has specifically been found to be rampant and mostly unchecked mainly due to the fact that it was regarded earlier on as a normal step in an individual’s aging. (Casey, 1994) The need for further research on the subject is stressed by the fact that treatments and solutions for depression among elderly individuals are studied only in areas wherein a majority of the population is in the late stages of life. (Bramesfeld, 2003) Also, research has shown that general practitioners involved in treating depression in the elderly need to have more training and information on how best to handle depression in older patients. (Rothera et al, 2002) Diagnosis of depression is also a problem with 70-90% of depressed elderly patients going undiagnosed. (Koenig, 1999) A new strategy being researched for its effectiveness in treating depression employs the use of music techniques. Hendricks et al (1999) showed the potency of music in treating adolescent depression mainly because of its ability to inspire a change in the individual’s emotions. Hanser Thomson (1994) and Hanser (1990) studies have also shown promise in the use of music techniques to treat depression in older individuals. This paper aims to validate these previous studies but will focus only on the musical aspect of the treatment. Previous research included exercise, muscle relaxation techniques, and recall of experiences which could have confounded the results of the previous studies attesting to the effectiveness of music techniques. Research Question   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The goal of this paper is to determine whether there is a significant relationship between music-induced affect and depression. Can positive affect induced by music reduce depression? It is hypothesized that positive music-induced affect has a significant negative relationship with depression. Methods   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The design of the study is experimental and random. Specifically, it makes use of a 22 between-subjects factorial design. One variable will be the music-induced affect which will have two levels in the experiment, presence and absence of music-induced affect. Negative music-induced affect will not be used for ethical reasons. The other variable will be the test scores of the participants assessing the intensity of their depression. This will have two levels, test scores prior to the application of the music technique and test scores acquired after application. The two variables contribute tot eh 22 factorial design. (Mann, 1949) Setting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The study will be conducted in a laboratory setting within primary care facilities from which the participants will be gathered. Performing the experiment in a primary care facility will be more convenient especially because the participants involved are elderly individuals. The laboratory setting will control for confounding variables that could be present in a real environment. Population   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The research sample will be composed of individuals from age 65 onwards coming from primary care facilities and who have been diagnosed with depression (ranging from mild to severe). This is to avoid ethical and scientific concerns regarding clinically-induced depression. Data Collection The independent variable is the positive music-induced affect will be measured with the State Form of the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R). (Zuckerman Lubin, 1985) The depression level, the dependent variable, of the participants will be measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). (Beck et al, 1961) Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will be administered with music sessions aimed at inducing positive affect. The music will be pre-tested on a different set of participants also with depression to check its validity in inducing positive affect. The control group will not be administered with music sessions and will only be administered the Beck Depression Inventory at the start and at the end of the experimentation period.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The experimental group will be administered the selected music once daily for a duration of four weeks. During the sessions, participants of the experimental set-up will be asked to clear their minds and to concentrate only on the music being played. The State Form of the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised will be administered before and after each session to ensure that positive affect was induced. The Beck Depression Inventory will also be administered to this group at the start and end of the four-week experimentation period to document depression levels. Data Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Collected data will be analyzed statistically with the use of a one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). The computed marginal means in the ANOVA will be the determining statistical value indicating the effect of positive music-induced affect on depression scores with the Beck Depression Inventory. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Music as a technique employed in treating depression will provide healthcare workers and low-income families with a relatively cost-free strategy of helping elderly individuals experiencing depression. This is also a technique that doesn’t require much training or medical expertise in its administration. All one would need in order to be able to administer this technique is knowledge as to which music selections are prescribed and certified to induce positive affect. This technique, because of its simplicity and speed of application, could also be used as a supplementary strategy to medication, counseling and psychotherapies being employed to treat depression in elderly patients.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The research, however, has many limitations. The range of elderly individuals that will be available for experimentation will only be confined to a specific locality. Time constraints will also be an issue. Further study should be conducted on a larger sample size and over a longer experimentation period. Different music styles and variations can also be checked to ascertain maximum effectiveness of the treatment. Gender could also be checked as a factor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Depression is indeed a psychological problem that afflicts today’s elderly individuals. Research regarding effective techniques has to be continued and expanded in order for healthcare workers to be able to best address this growing problem. References Arean, P., Alvidrez, J. (2001). Treating Depressive Disorders Who Responds, Who Does Not Respond, and Who Do We Need to Study? Journal of Family Practices, 50(6), 529 Beck, A., Ward, C., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression, Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561-571. Bramesfeld, A. (2003). Service provision for elderly depressed persons and political and professional awareness for this subject: a comparison of six European countries. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 392-401 Casey, D. (1994). Depression in the elderly. Southern Medical Journal, 87(5), 559-563 Hanser, S. B. (1990). A music therapy strategy for depressed older adults in the community. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 9, 283-298. Hanser, S. B., Thompson, L. W. (1994). Effects of music therapy strategy on depressed older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 49, 265-269. Hendricks, C., Robinson, B., Bradley, L., Davis, K. (1999). Using music techniques to treat adolescent depression. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education Development, 38(1), 39-46 Koenig, H. (1999). Late-life depression: How to treat patients with comorbid chronic illness.Geriatrics, 54(5), 56-61 Mann, H.B. (1949). Analysis and design of experiments; analysis of variance and analysis of variance designs. New York, Dover Publications. Rothera, I., Jones, R., Gordon, C. (2002). An examination of the attitudes and practice of general practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of depression in older people. International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17, 354-358 Von Kroff, M., Katon, W., Wells, K., Wagner, E. (2001). Improving Depression Care Barriers, Solutions, and Research Needs. Journal of Family Practice, 50(6), 529-561 Zuckerman M, Lubin B. (1985) Manual for the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised. San Diego: Educational and Industrial Testing

Gender inequality in the spread of HIV AIDS

Gender inequality in the spread of HIV AIDS In December 2002, Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations at the time wrote in the New York Times, AIDS has a womans face (2002). Women constitute 57 percent of infections in sub-Saharan African countries that are experiencing HIV epidemics (UNAIDS Report 2004). Furthermore in sub-Saharan Africa, young women aged 15 to 24 are more than three times as likely to be infected as young men (UNAIDS Report 2004). In this essay I will argue, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa that the feminised epidemic that is taking place is being exacerbated largely due to Gender Inequality. I will argue this is the case because this is because women are socially, economically, and culturally more vulnerable to infection than men. Prevalent issues such as womens financial dependence on men, both physical and sexual abuse from their partners and the fact that it is customary for males to have multiple partners are key gender aspects that are crucial to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the regi on. I will start by defining what is meant by Gender Inequality and why it is important in this context and then consider the reasons with an emphasis on notions of masculinity and femininity to explain why the proportion of women being infected is rising. However, although this essay will primarily focus on women, it is important to note the gender aspects relating to the spread of HIV amongst men, in particular the pressure to perform and satisfy multiple sexual partners. Throughout the essay I will relate the issue of gender inequality to the themes of globalisation, poverty and governance and leadership whilst giving reference to the examples of Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa to support my argument. So what exactly is gender inequality and why is it important? When talking about gender inequality in sub-Saharan Africa, the issue is clear. Tallis relates the term best, remarking that we are analysing the position and status of women in relation to the position of men and the po sition of other women (2000: 59). The importance of gender inequality cannot be underestimated as it is evident at all stages of the prevention-care continuum. Gender inequality is perhaps the main problem area impeding HIV/AIDS prevention (Tallis 2000: 60). Furthermore, reports by several non-governmental organizations such as UNESCO, the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on Education and the Global Campaign for Education recognise that gender issues are key to the problem of HIV and AIDS (Oxfam 2008: 11). It is undisputed in the specialist HIV/AIDS field that gender roles and unequal gender relations are fuelling the epidemic by rendering women vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Gender inequality is most commonly seen in notions of masculinity and femininity across African societies. In South Africa, culture is generally male-dominated, with women traditionally given a lower social status. Men are socialised to believe that women are inferior and should be under their control; women are socialis ed to over-respect men and act submissively towards them (Health24 2009). In addition to their lower status, black African women generally have less access to safe housing and are often dependent on their male partners as breadwinners for support (Petros 2006: 72). Sex, for instance continues to this day to be defined primarily in terms of male desire with women being the relatively passive recipients of these passions(Seidel 2000).Dr. Seggasne Musisi, head of psychiatric consultation at Mulago Hospital relates effectively the psychology of sexual behaviour in Uganda. Control of sexual relations is purely with men. Women have no cultural or legal power to either promote or control their sexual health (Human Rights Watch 2003). In these male-dominated societies, the risk of HIV/AIDS is exacerbated further by risky sexual practise, both by men and by women (which will be discussed later). Traditionally men are accustomed to have multiple partners and practise sex outside of a relation ship, yet even suspected infidelity on a womans part is socially unacceptable and can easily result in violence or social exclusion (Ackerman and de Klerk 2002: 169). Misconceptions of prophylactic use in African societies only worsen the situation. Women are largely afraid to introduce subject of prophylactic protection for fear of domestic violence either for suspecting their husbands of having extramarital affairs or because they might be accused of adultery (Human Rights Watch 2003). Margaret Namusisi, 25 years old from Uganda explains the response when she asked her husband to wear a condom. When I tell him to use a condom he refuses. He accuses me of having other men. (Human Rights Watch 2003) There was also the concern from women that if they asked to use condoms during sex, it would lead to violence or financial abandonment (World Health Organization 2003). Namusisi comments on the reaction she faces when she refuses to have sex without protection, He goes away and doesnt pr ovide. So I have sex with him so that he can look after the children and wont fight (Human Rights Watch 2003) Globalisation and national economic policies have played a major role in heightening existing gender inequalities, increasing the economic dependence women have on their partners. The World Health organization has repeatedly criticized the impact globalization has had in sub- Saharan Africa, forwarding Nigeria as an example. It argues that, in Nigeria, globalisation has benefited the rich (mostly men) but penalised the poor, less educated, low skilled or unemployed fall within this other group, which relate to women (1990). What this equates to is that the average Nigerian woman finds it increasingly hard to leave abusive or risk based relationships because of increased economic dependence (Zierler and Krieger 1998:). Heavy criticism has been levelled also at the Structural Adjustment Program that was incorporated into developing countries. Despite the many benefits that Str uctural Adjustment Programmes provide to developing countries such as building up economies and changing national legislature in order to create an environment more open to incoming investment from abroad; SAPs have many flaws. PrimarilySAPs the main flaw affects the supply and the demand for health services through health spending cuts and also by reducing household income, which leaves people with less money for necessary treatment. (World Health Organization). Yet many are denied access to appropriate preventive and curative services especially in parts of the world where their needs are greatest. As the epidemic has progressed, women have taken increasing responsibility for those who are sick or orphaned by AIDS yet they have been allowed little influence over the relevant policy and planning decisions (Doyal in Tallis 2000:87). It is important to note that this is not solely the case in Nigeria, but in the majority of sub- Saharan Africa where poverty affects 315 million people and one in two of people in Sub Saharan Africa survive on less than one dollar per day (Food4Africa 2011) What SAPs and the aforementioned factors produce a society where poverty drives Women resorting to increasingly risky sexual behaviours as part of multiple livelihood strategies (Ahonsi 1999) Entering prostitution is not a personal choice in many cases but the last resort of women who have been structurally disadvantaged in every way and left with no other resource but their bodies (Schoepf 1998: 65). It is widely recognised that men will pay more to have sex without a condom, which the sex workers find difficult to refuse due to their financial problems. Moreover, with the HIV/AIDS epidemic concentrated in the poorest parts of the world with 90% of HIV positive cases living in the developing world UNAIDS/WHO (1997); it is vital to have constitutional guidelines to safeguard the population from the growing epidemic. The lack of both extensive guidelines and implementation of pr ocedures within national constitutions for extensive responses to HIV/AIDS leads to situation where gender inequality will inevitably worsen For instance the Nigerian Constitution legislates for the protection of human rights but there is a need to create explicit benchmarks and guidelines to implement and develop effective rights-based response to gender inequality and HIV/AIDS (Aniekwu 2002: 35). South Africa has brought in laws detailing measures on promoting womens rights in what had been a predominantly patriarchal society among whites as well as blacks, the ANC has legalised abortion, given women equal power in marriage, cracking down on domestic violence and banning gender discrimination amongst other initaitives (Economist 2010). On paper South Africa has one of the worlds most commendable constitution containing an impressive legal arsenals for protecting womens rights and is ranked 4th out of 53 countries with regards to this (Economist 2010). But the gap between principl e and practice is often wide (Economist 2010); with women still more likely to be unemployed and 40% admit that their first experience of sex was a rape (Economist 2010). Furthermore intimate partner violence is associated with increased levels of HIV risk behaviour, examples being multiple partners, high levels of prostitution and excessive substance use. A potential link between HIV status and domestic violence has also been recognized with studies from Africa showing an increased risk of violence when the man is HIV positive (van der Straten in WHO 2003:54) or when the woman perceives herself to be at high risk of acquiring HIV from the man (Coker AL and Richter DL in WHO 2003: 54) Before concluding, it is important that the Government is the responsible party under relevant international instruments to protect rights (Aniekwu 2002: 35). But Presidents such as South Africas Jacob Zuma are doing nothing but aggravating the controversial issue of gender inequality through their own actions. Zuma used traditional notions of gender roles within Zulu society to form the basis of his defence against rape allegations claiming sexual intercourse with his accuser was demanded by his status as a Zulu male and to deny a woman sex in Zulu culture when she is ready would be tantamount to rape (Andrews 2007: 44). The Zuma case not only exposed national concerns about a culture of violence towards women but also revealed the ways in which gender roles were related via cultural norms. To conclude, It is important to note that men do suffer also as a result of gender inequality. For men, the pressure to perform sexually and with many partners places them at risk of HIV infection (Tallis 2000: 58). The male-orientated culture present in sub-Saharan African societies means that many men wont seek HIV services due to a fear of stigma and discrimination and the perception of being labelled weak in such a male dominated society, which then has an impact on their wives or partner s. Both Education and Health Programmes can improve access to services for both women and men by removing financial barriers, bringing services closer to local communities and tackling HIV/AIDS. In this essay I have shown the combination of their sexuality and gender disadvantage in terms of cultural, economic and social factors places women more at risk of infection than men. Gender inequality has undoubtedly been a driving force in the spread of HIV/AIDS and will continue to do so until traditional notions of the roles of men and women are overhauled. As whilst, the blame culture placed towards women continues, the HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS epidemic will be remain feminised and sub-Saharan African women will still find themselves faced with overt prejudice.

The Life of Daniel Defoe Essay -- English Literature Authors Daniel De

The Life of Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe was easily one of the most influential and accomplished English author/writer of all time. Not only is Daniel Defoe considered as the founder of the English novel along with Samuel Richardson, but he was also a critical figure in European journalism and political commentary. Defoe has produced as much as 200 works of non fiction and 2,000 short essays in various periodical publications. In addition to over half a dozen full length novels such as Robinson Crusoe, a tale of a shipwrecked sailor stranded on a remote island. Defoe has done more than anyone else in his lifetime; he was a merchant, business owner, soldier, editor, journalist, and writer. Much of his life he was oppressed because of his religion, beliefs, and political and social ideals, because of his opposition to the church and state he was jailed and imprisoned many times. Defoe's writing reflected the fast growth of the English Middle class with new business opportunities in 1600-1700. Daniel Foe was born in London sometime in 1660 to an English butcher and candle merchant James Foe. He later changed his surname to Defoe, probably to return to his old foreign family name. His father was a Dissenter, a Presbyterian protestant who was not a part of the established Anglican Church. Defoe's mother died when he was 10, and his father sent him to boarding school. At the time Dissenters could not attend Cambridge and Oxford universities(unless they take an oath to the Church of England), in fact at the time Dissenters were prosecuted slightly by the Catholic who were the majority of the country. Dissenters had to send their children to dissenting academies. At the age of 14 Defoe went to attend a dissentin... ...and economic surroundings effected human nature. His novels are important in history because they mark an important break from traditional long poems and dramas. Defoe created reality of what we are reading by presenting realistic details and conditions. Defoe's complex lifestyle contributed to his understanding of people and the world. Annotated Bibliography "Daniel Defoe @ Catharton" . Biography of Daniel Defoe expressing his involvement with religion and politics. Books and Writers Online. . Biography of Daniel Defoe quoting and describing the work that he has published and produced. With a list of work along with dates. Daniel 'The True-Born Englishman' Defoe - Incomptech . Summery of important events in life of Daniel Defoe. His imprisonment and struggle by the Catholic church. "Daniel Defoe" World Book Encyclopedia. 234. 1992.

Analysis of Conan Doyle’s work Essay

English coursework : A comparative essay on 2 Sherlock Holmes stories  The world has chosen to remember Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chiefly for his creation of the fictional master detective, Sherlock Holmes. This prestigious character has been hugely popular for over one hundred years shown in many different ways, whether it be books, television series, magazine articles, and so on.  Conan Doyle himself was born in Edinburgh, rather than the London setting that Sherlock Holmes lives and works. He actually set out to be an oculist, however when no patients came he had plenty of time to write his stories. Around the same time, The Strand magazine was first published, and Sherlock Holmes was printed for the first time in its pages. His stories were not long enough to be books of their own, and thrived as a regular part of their magazine. The Sherlock Holmes stories are written in a very upper class setting. Watson and Holmes take cabs everywhere, and have very high class mannerisms and habits, such as leaving a calling card if the person they have visited is not there. And Holmes himself carries round a cane with him – a rather posh acquirement thought to be that of a gentleman. They also have a resident in the home to look after them both, and take care of the household, which could of course only be afforded by those of the higher class.  The fact that these stories were written in such a way is easily explained. The stories were written for the magazine, ‘The Strand’. In those times, very little people read magazines, and could afford to subscribe. Most people read newspapers, but these magazines were aimed at the higher class, and particularly for the gentleman, because a very small number of women were expected to be able to read, and so they did not benefit from such a publication. â€Å"The Speckled Band† and, â€Å"The Red-Headed League† are both very interesting stories. The structures of both are much the same, but that accounts for all of Conan Doyle’s creations in accordance to the Sherlock Holmes stories.  In accordance to this structure, â€Å"The Speckled Band† begins with a visit to the house from someone needing Holmes’s help. An element included right at the beginning of the story is the deduction Holmes makes of Helen. This is extremely typical of Conan Doyle as it is a feature he nearly always adds as each of his stories unfold. In â€Å"The Speckled Band† Holmes instantly deduces that she travelled early by dog cart on heavy roads to the station before travelling by train to London. The next lines describe Helen giving ‘a violent start’ and staring at Holmes in bewilderment. This is also underlyingly very typical of Conan Doyle to include such a description, as it what he includes in all of his stories at this point. In direct comparison, â€Å"The Red Headed League† features a swift deduction of Jabez Wilson in which he concludes that the man done at some point manual labour, takes snuff, has a freemason, has been in China, and has done a considerable amount of writing recently. The line directly following on from that is set out exactly the same as in â€Å"The Speckled Band† and describes Jabez to â€Å"Start up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon Holmes† So we can conclude from this that this is an element Conan Doyle likes to include in his stories which also suitably gives a first time reader an idea of the way Holmes’s mind works.  Following on from that, a long monologue is heard which tells every detail of the story. This is unusual in stories written now. We can note that in real life no one tells a story in such detail, uninterrupted, and this reflects tracts of today. But it is actually very typical of writings at the time.

Nature and nurture shape our personalities

Each person is unique and a person of worth under his/her own right. This statement defines who a person is, one s endowed with the faculties to exist and be a contributing member of society. However, how a person develops certain characteristics and traits have aroused the curiosity of the scientific and academic community. Even parents want to know how personalities are developed so they would be able to rear their children in the proper way and become adults who have a well rounded personality. The questions remains, how do people develop their personalities and what factors influence it. Although some people believe that personalities are influenced by nurture while others believe that personalities are influenced by nature, but it is a combination of both nature and nurture that shape our personalities. The nature-nurture controversy has led to the different perspectives on how an individual’s personality develops. Relevant materials: The Boy Who Became a Girl The nature perspective says that a person comes into this world with a certain traits and characteristics which make him/her predisposed to behave and think in a certain way. The nature perspective is largely biological and genetic; wherein it is thought that personality is often passed from parents to offspring and that a child may inherit the traits of the parents (Carlson & Buskist, 1997) just as they inherit their father’s eyes or their mother’s skin. Moreover, the biological perspective has said that a child is already born with certain personality traits that are enduring and stable over time. If a child has a difficult temperament as a baby, it can be expected that as an adult, that child would still be moody and temperamental. Finally, the nature perspective says that personality types are based on the gene pool of the individual, they say that aggression or predisposition to violence is genetically based, some people are just born to have the violent gene and that there is nothing that can be done to change this (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). The nature perspective may seem to be deterministic and narrow, once a person is said to be shy or timid, then that person will always be shy until the end of his/her life. The nurture perspective was borne out of the reaction and revolt against the nature perspective, the proponents of the nurture perspective found the biological view close and incomplete, it was not able to account for the concept of choice and free will and that each person has the capacity to change and become better persons. The nurture perspective advocated that individuals are fundamentally good and that each person can be trained and influenced to be a better person or have positive personality traits (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). Therefore, a person may come from a family of criminals or psychotics but with the right nurturing environment and love and care the child can grow up to become morally upright and compassionate. The nurture perspective places greater importance to the quality of care and the kind of environment that a child receives during his/her early years can affect the child’s personality and will form his/her characteristics and traits. The nurture perspective does not allow for any biological influence, in fact John B. Watson in his famous declaration has been known to say that he can train children to become whatever he desires them to be (Friedman & Schustack, 2006). The nurture perspective is more positive as compared to the nature perspective when it comes to personality change. The perspective holds that each person with the right support and guidance will be able to change his/her personality traits for the better. As the nature-nurture debate wore on, scientists and philosophers were finding evidence that suggested that personality development is not solely nature nor nurture, but a combination of both perspectives. Relying on the nature perspective alone does not present a complete picture of how personality is developed. They say that personality traits are not observable and one cannot identify which gene carries what trait therefore the perspective lacked credence as traits are not adequately labeled. At the same time, saying that the environment alone is the sole influence that affects personality development is wrong. There is always the continued interplay between nature and nurture and in reality; personality is molded by the combination of these two conflicting views. Personality traits and characteristics are developed and molded by both nature and nurture factors wherein the individual finds him/her self. It is true that one’s biological traits affect the individual and can be used as basis to predict the behavior of the child in the future as well as what kind of personality he/she will have. Personality traits that are expressed through emotions have been found to be affected by the endorphins and the hormones that a person has (Carlson & Buskist, 1997). For example, men and women differ in their personalities because women have more estrogen which activates the body into being more emotional and easily affected by feelings and situations while men who have a very low estrogen levels are hardier, more composed and calm than women. The physiology of the human brain also influence the personality of the individual (Carlson & Buskist, 1997), those who have a more developed language area are more vocal, more able to express their emotions while those who have more developed logical area are more rational. Moreover, intelligence which is a key ingredient of a person’s personality is also genetically based, those who are highly intelligent will be more critical, more resilient and more introverted while those who are more socially adept will tend to be extroverted. The influence of the environment over the personality of the individual has been demonstrated by the number of cases of wherein the child has been brought up in a positive environment despite being borne in a dysfunctional family grew up to be straight and proper. In the earliest experiments of human contact which tackles the issue of nurture it was found that monkeys reared alone and without a nurturing mother was cold, lifeless and unable to relate with other monkeys. On the other hand, a monkey which was reared together with a mechanical monkey displayed more positive behaviors than the first monkey (Westen, 2003). This showed that a nurturing environment is important for the developing child, in a similar light; it was found that those children who were exposed to aggression also imitated the aggressive behavior that was shown to them (Huesmann, Moise-Titus, Podolski & Eron, 2003). These underscores the double edged sword that nurture is because a positive environment may lead to positive outcomes while a negative environment may also be a threat to the development of the child. However, taking both of the perspectives explains far more completely how personality is developed and formed. A child’s genetic make-up provides for the predispositions that a child has, while the kind of environment that he/she grows up in will also form part of his/her personality. Personality tests have often found that personality traits are stable and enduring (Westen, 2003), a child may be stubborn in his/her younger age may mellow down and with the societal influences and an environment that promotes respect and obedience may tame the stubbornness, but in the end, his/her stubbornness may prevail when placed in a difficult situation or when she has to cope with a certain issue or problem. Moreover, a child may be overly active and vocal since childhood but through experience and social forces may transform the child into an adult who excels in sports or who are activists and leaders. This is also true for the other side of personality, the evil and dark side. Some children are evil and these can be observed in their behavior towards other children or other creatures, and sometimes they grow up to be criminals and sociopaths (Westen, 2003). In a same vein, children who have experienced abuse and traumatic events tend to develop personality disorders that affect their quality of life and relationships. Lastly, it has been reported that injuries to the brain have often resulted to a change in personality (Westen, 2003) and these had adverse effects to the individual and his/her family. The person’s behavior becomes erratic; he/she may have mood swings or may even portray a personality that is completely uncharacteristic of him/her. Without a doubt, personality is shaped by one’s biological predispositions and environment, each one of us have heard a small voice inside of us that shares our thoughts and feelings, while the most important persons in our lives have influenced and inspired us to dream and fulfill our ambitions in life. In the past the nature versus nurture debate was intensely championed by both sides, but at present it has been realized that acknowledging both the nature and nurture aspect of one’s development and personality provides a more complete and accurate picture of human nature. References Carlson N. & Buskist W. (1997). Psychology: The Science of Behavior 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Friedman, H. & Schustack, M. (2006). Personality: Classic theories and modern Research 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Huesmann, L., Moise-Titus, J., Podolski, C.   & Eron, L. (2003). Longitudinal relations between children’s exposure to TV violence and their aggressive and violent behavior in young adulthood: 1977-1992. Developmental Psychology, 39, 201-221. Westen, D. (2003). Psychology: Brain, Behavior, and Culture. New York: Wiley & Sons.