Brazilian culture Essay

Culture refers to the norms, values and conceptions which influences an individual’s behavior. They are usually not tangible things though they greatly affect or influence the reactions or response of an individual to certain circumstances. Different communities have different cultures which are usually expressed through the various artifacts and symbols as well as ceremonies and traditions. The national culture of a place is usually expressed through the language spoken, the religion practiced, the etiquette and attitudes of the people, body language as well a literature, arts and music in such a country. The national culture of a country influences the way things and business are carried out and as such the performance of different entities within the country. Brazilian culture Brazil is located in the southern America and it is characterized by different and diverse culture which is as a result of cultural and ethnic mixing between the Africans, the native Americans and the Portuguese which occurred during the colonial era which. Other groups of people which have greatly influenced the culture of Brazil are the Spanish, Arabs, the Germans and the Italian immigrants who settled in Brazil between the 19th and the 20th century. This diverse nature of Brazilian people has given rise to a national culture which is so diverse. Portugal however was the major country which greatly influences the culture of Brazil since it was its colonizer. During the colonization period, the Brazilian people were having close contact with the Brazilians especially because Portuguese colonizers inhabited Brazil in large numbers. The slaves who were mostly black Africans also influenced greatly the formation of the Brazilian culture (Nava & Lauerhass, 2006). During the colonial period, the Portuguese wanted the Brazilians to be civilized and thus introduced Portuguese language as well as Catholicism. Portuguese is the most widely spoken language in Brazil although Spanish is also spoken in some parts. English is the second language which is spoken after Portuguese. However, the Brazilian Portuguese is different from Portuguese which is spoken in Portugal and other Portuguese speaking countries. The Brazilian Portuguese contains additional words which are coined from their native language. Most of the Brazilians can speak English though not frequently while a good number of them can hear and understand Spanish though they may not speak it. As mentioned above, Catholicism is widely practiced with most of the individuals thus being Christians. Brazil is one of the countries which have the largest number of catholic population although other beliefs like Hinduism, ayahuasca, spiritism, Judaism and Buddhism have evolved overtime. Other groups of Christianity like the Mormon Church, Methodism and Pentecostalism are also gaining root in Brazil. An annual religious celebration known as carnaval is held in Brazil for forty days and it is celebrated before Easter which marks the lent period (Thomas, 2007). The Brazilian music is composed mostly of traditional styles for example samba, frevo and forro among others. Brazil also has classical music which dates back to the 18th century. The music industry in Brazil is marked by diversity especially after Brazil become democratic in 1985 whereby hip hop music was largely adopted. Music in the past was largely influenced by social classes which existed between the rich, the middle class and the poor people. However, most of the traditional songs were neutral and did not favor any class thus unifying the country music industry. Another important feature of Brazilian culture is their literature which can be traced back to the 16th century. Portuguese explores during the colonial period wrote different poems, plays and chronicles describing Brazil. Brazilian writers started writing soon after independence in 1822 which marked the beginning of natives’ prominence in literature. They also have a folk literature tradition although little of is known internationally. This folk literature is usually done by displaying verses in a booklet format which are hanged on the wall using strings in rhymed verses. This is common in the northeast region where illiteracy level is still high (Nava & Lauerhass, 2006). As mentioned above, carnival is one of the most celebrated events and acts as symbol of the Brazilian people. During this celebration, costumed dancers as well as musicians form parades both formal and even in the streets for a period of four days. This event is celebrated nationally with carnival symbolizing national ethos especially because it depicts the dualities of life of the Brazilians which is divided among the poverty and wealth, female and males and Europeans and Africans. Football is also another highly celebrated activity in Brazil. During major soccer matches like the world cup, all national attention is diverted to soccer with most of the people wearing clothes decorated with colors of their national flag (Garibaldi de Hilal, 2006). Brazilians unlike people in the North America have little sense especially of personal space when it comes to their etiquette. The Brazilians may be found in large and also crowded areas which do not bother them. Respect is usually accorded according to the dressing code of a person. To command respect, one thus has to wear appropriately to fit his or her class as dressing is used as a symbol of class. Also, these people tend to physically expressive and they convey some of their emotional information via touching. Touching in Brazil is translated to mean friendship or concern about the welfare of the other person. Women are more inclined to touching and kissing their fellow women as a sign of greetings while men usually pat or bear hug their male counterparts. People like doctors, professors and priests among other are addressed using their titles which is them followed by their first names. Body language is also used in Brazil and is usually varied depending on the social class or standing of an individual. Domestic or house servants greet their masters usually by a limp handshake while slightly bowing the head and lowering the eyes. They address their masters with respectful you (senhora) while masters address servants as voce. Graduates and other educated persons are addressed as doctor. The Brazilians are not bothered by nudity and this is verifiable through scanty dressing that is worn during carnival (Nava & Lauerhass, 2006). In Brazil, personal relationships are valued with body language being highly used while expressing emotions. Touching is one way of expressing concern, friendship and even interest on the other people’s point of view. People who tend to keep their distance while talking to their counterparts are usually considered to be cold and uninterested. Also the national language that is Portuguese is highly valued and even those who can speak English prefer speaking in their native Portuguese language. The Brazilians also value or regard highly their symbols which include the carnival and soccer (Garibaldi de Hilal, 2006). The national culture of a country affects in a great manner the running of the national affairs as well as the businesses. While carrying out business activities in an area, it is vital to understand the culture which the community holds as this would influence workers motivation and commitment to the business as well as the community’s perception of the business. Apart from the expertise or experience of the workers and the managers, national culture contributes in largely to the growth or stagnation of a business and as such it should be treated carefully. Knowledge of the Brazilian culture would influence greatly how a business is to be carried out in this region. As mentioned above, personal relationship is very important to the Brazilians and as such, this would impact greatly to the way a business operates. While carrying out business in this region, it is vital for the managers to ensure that they create personal relationships with their workers as this would act as a motivation factor. Managers who keep their distance may be viewed as being cold or rude in Brazil and as such, understanding the culture of the Brazilians would help in managing and running a business successfully (Ferreira, et al, n. d). Brazilians also respect and adore their symbols which are mainly soccer and carnival celebrations. During this period, most of the Brazilians are committed to the celebrations and as such may not be willing to work as usual or for long hours. Understanding the value the Brazilians attach to these functions would influence how activities of a business are carried out. This is more so because these celebrations are nationally accepted as part of their culture. During the festive period, the business may be run fewer hours be closed till the festive seasons is over. Learning to value what the native Brazilians value would help in establishing an entity in this region and also earning the commitment of the workers to the business (Ferreira, et al, n. d). Conclusion For any business to be successful, it is vital to ensure that it observes and values the national culture in existence in a particular area. The culture of a community or a country determines the attitudes, behavior and response of the workers in an organization and as such, managers should ensure that they fully understand the national culture existing in a country as this is bound to influence not only the workers performance of tasks but also the running of the business. A company deemed to esteem the national culture is more likely to be successful that a company comprising of good management team but which does not respect or observe the national culture. Reference: Ferreira, M. C. et al (n. d): Organizational culture in Brazilian public and private companies. Retrieved on 2nd April 2009 from, http://ebooks. iaccp. org/ongoing_themes/chapters/ferreira/ferreira. php? file=ferreira&output=screen. Garibaldi de Hilal, A. V. (2006): Brazilian National Culture, Organizational Culture and Cultural Agreement. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, Vol. 6 Nava, C. & Lauerhass, L. (2006): Brazil in the making: facets of national identity. ISBN 0742537579, Published by Rowman & Littlefield Thomas, V. (2007): Culture of BRAZIL. Retrieved on 2nd April 2009 from, http://www. everyculture. com/Bo-Co/Brazil. html.

Gender Disparity and the ways in which it underpins major social and economic inequalities in South Asia

The aim of this paper is to show the linkage between gender disparity and social and economic inequalities that result because of gender disparity in the South Asian context. This is an important area of study because gender disparity is closely interlinked with and supports explanations of social and economic inequality. This is also of particular interest in the South Asian context because compared to the rest of the world South Asia has one of the greatest degrees of gender disparity in the world. Furthermore gender equality can be used to measure the progressiveness and development of a given society as a whole by acting as an indicator to social equality. In other words the smaller the gap in gender disparity, the more developed and progressive a given country or society can be regarded. This paper will deal with the common perception of women in the South Asian context, social exclusion and the limited legal rights of women, Their rights to land and property, access to education and healthcare, female foeticide and infanticide, the political and economic exclusion of women and the downward spiraling effect that the above factors will have particularly on the economy and South Asian society as a whole. The paper will draw from various parts of South Asia to illustrate vividly examples of gender disparity at work. In order to really understand the existence of Gender disparity in South Asia one must look at the fiercely patriarchal nature of South Asian society. Throughout most of South Asia, men have been given the role of decision makers and heads of family because of cultural, social and religious backing that has gone on for thousands of years and thus gender bias is not just believed in by men but women also. â€Å"This has arguably resulted in female submission to male domination and the constraint of women's choices to come to be regarded as the social norm. † The first significant way that gender disparity supports economic inequality is in what can be regarded as the â€Å"unseen economy†. Many South Asian women are employed in the informal sector and thus their contribution to the national economy is not recognized and accounted for in a respective country's Gross Domestic Product or GDP. â€Å"Because their labour – in such activities as family care, household maintenance is excluded from systems of national accounts the work they do remains unappreciated and inadequately compensated. In Bangladesh, some studies estimate that women spend between 70 and 88 percent of their time in non-market work. The vast majority of South Asian women work in the informal-sector or in unpaid family assistance, with the informal sector accounting for the employment of 96 percent of economically-active women in India, 75 percent in Nepal and Bangladesh and nearly 65 percent in Pakistan. â€Å"2 Methods to incorporate the contribution of the women to the economy should be implemented. This would be the only possible way of assessing their productivity accurately. One theoretical method is to make use of the economic concept of â€Å"opportunity cost†. For example the productivity of a housewife can be taken into account by the cost of hiring domestic help to manage the household assuming she went out to work. Simply put, if she did not do the work at home, someone else has to be paid to do it. Such methods may be the only way to give women their due credit in recognition of their contribution to the economy. The next substantial way in which gender disparity supports a major economic inequality in South Asia is in the area of land rights for women. A very phallic male-centred approach to the division of property and very often occurs in South Asia. A significant proportion of women do not receive their due share of inheritance. â€Å"3 In order to really understand the economic and social implications that this brings about one must see â€Å"the links between gender subordination and property and the need to be sought in not only the distribution of property between households but also in its distribution between men and women, in not only who owns the property but also who controls it, and in relation not only to private property but to communal property. † 4 Actual ownership of a property does not always mean effective assertion of control over that property. In some cases women's names are not put on the revenue records after they inherit, in others they are persuaded to sign relinquishment in favour of male family members. â€Å"5 This is because in many parts of South Asia it is customary for sons to inherit all the land and property without any shares going to the daughters of the family. The lack of property and capital makes women economically subjugate to men because of economic dependency. They are unable to make economic decisions for themselves. When women's access to property and wealth is denied this makes â€Å"(a) A woman's class position defined through that of a man- father, husband etc. it is more open to change than that of a man: a well-placed marriage can raise it, divorce or widowhood can lower it. (b) This can occur to the extent that even women of propertied households, do not own property themselves and makes it difficult to characterize their class position. Indeed some have even argued that women constitute a class in themselves. â€Å"6 One must bear in mind that this not only gives rise to major economic inequality but also social inequality. The rise of capitalism has made economics in integral part of determining social class. Gone are the days when social class was not dependent on wealth and property. Thus in this respect women are socially compromised as well economically. Another way in which gender disparity closely supports both economic and social inequality is with regards to the Law of a state. The Law can be used as a very good indicator of gender disparity and thus social and economic inequality. Simply put the Law has to protect both men and women. Men and women should have equality before the law. The Apostle Paul said, â€Å"The law is lawful so long as one uses it lawfully†. Indeed there should not only be equality before the Law in areas of gender, but race and class as well. The legal terrain of South Asia is determined by the religious and cultural practices of several communities, and overlain by traditions of European jurisprudence and is particularly treacherous for women. Throughout the region different religious and cultural communities are governed by separate personal laws- those civil laws which deal with marriage, dowry and divorce; custody, guardianship and adoption of children and inheritance†. 7 The lack of a uniform civil code in South Asian states to protect the rights of women has sadly allowed loopholes in the law to be exploited which aids in the economic and social oppression of women. It is a sad truth that in many parts of South Asia there is still a strong degree of gender-bias in the law of the state, which puts women at an unfair disadvantage as compared to men. â€Å"The lack of a uniform civil code in which fundamental human rights take precedence over gender discriminatory religious customs remains a main obstacle to the achievements of women's equal rights. â€Å"8 In order to illustrate the significant impact the law can have on promoting inequality the laws pertaining to women's rights in South Asia will be looked at. Property and inheritance laws are in themselves highly gender discriminatory across South Asia. This will be tied in with the earlier example of land rights for women and the role of the law as a mediating device. Take for example the case of the â€Å"Jaffna Tamils in Sri Lanka, a married woman needs her husband's consent to alienate land which she legally owns. â€Å"9 Legal ownership does not always carry with it the right of control in all senses. Legal ownership might still be challenged by prevailing social constraints as well. Thus there has to be not only implementation of legal rights but enforcement as well in order to safeguard the rights of women. Strong degree of gender disparity can be seen from inheritance laws in Nepal. â€Å"One of the laws states that a daughter can only inherit paternal property if she is unmarried and over 35 years of age, and she cannot inherit tenancy rights. â€Å"10 Needless to say the very legal system, which should serve the function of protection, seems to undermine women and compromise their representation. A very serious aspect that needs to be looked at is the implication of some of the bias inheritance laws, which contribute to a downward spiral effect. These bias inheritance laws not only economically and socially impair women but in many cases their offspring bear the brunt of the hardship as well. Firstly, these â€Å"discriminatory property laws limit women's capacity to obtain credit and benefit from new opportunities for economic advancement by engaging in self employment. This also has further serious implications as in the case of the â€Å"cancellation of the provision of inheritance for orphan grandchildren by a Federal Shariat Court in Pakistan. This has a multiplier effect on economic and social inequality because of the overwhelming burden placed on widowed mothers. They lose their only means of financial support with the death of their husbands and this also means that the children would not be able to inherit the property of their father which will also increase the financial burden of the women. 11 Also, the law not only fails to protect women in terms of property and inheritance rights but in many other areas as well. Women who are the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in South Asia have a much harder time seeking justice than their counterparts around the world. Often in South Asia, women who are the victims of sexual assault and battery are blamed for the crime rather than the perpetrators and abusers themselves. Gender disparity really underpins the social inequality in Bangladesh. â€Å"Even today, for the majority of women in Bangladesh, the world consists of their immediate family, and the new households of near relatives and neighbours. Very few are involved in any social institution apart from the family, and this even often applies to middle-class women in urban areas. The cultural institution of parda requires the isolation of all women besides minors from men outside the family and close relative circle. Movements outside the home are to be carried out only for prescribed reasons and at prescribed times of the day. † 12 Because of this cultural institution many Bangladeshi women literally become â€Å"birds in a cage†. This not only compromises women socially but economically and politically as well. This restricts their occupational chances and mobility. Furthermore parda leaves virtually no room in a woman's life for public interaction. Women are thus excluded from elections, conferences and decision-making bodies. Because of the strong nature of patriarchy is South Asian society and the Dowry system in marriages, women are considered a liability even before they are born. In the next few paragraphs the paper will look at women's access to healthcare and education and female foeticide and infanticide. This indeed causes an exacerbation of social and economic inequality. In order for a country or state to bloom as a society the rights and interests of both sexes have to be catered for. If women are given equal educational opportunities and access to healthcare, the standard of living and quality of life as a whole will improve. Educational quotient and life expectancy will rise. Women will also be able to take on more jobs and increasingly knowledge based ones and thus contribute more substantially to the economy as well. If women are given an equal chance as men economically and socially in South Asia, it might gradually eradicate the mentality that daughters are a liability and thus slow down and eventually stop the vicious cycle. The need for dowries may disappear if this were the case. Female foeticide and infanticide will cease to be such an impending issue and South Asian society will be more progressive as a whole. Prenatal sex determination techniques such as â€Å"amniocentesis techniques for developing foetal abnormalities were developed in India, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. It was soon discovered that these tests could also accurately determine the sex of the child. A statistic purporting to come from the Registrar General of India, based on hospital records alone showed that 3. lakh female foetuses were aborted in India between 1993 and 1994†. Needless to say the sex ratios in South Asia are one of the most unbalanced in the world because of the substantially higher ratio of men to women. This is gender disparity in action in its worst social implication. Very simply, a price is put on the lives unborn female children. They are being killed in the hundreds of thousands to such a degree that some people have aptly come up with the term, â€Å"femicide† to describe the literal culling of the female sex. What is far more worrying though is the practice of infanticide where many female children are killed after birth. This is tantamount to murder but goes unchecked in many parts of South Asia. Sometimes however, one wonders whether it is crueler to commit female infanticide rather than subject the female child to a life of hardship, misery and oppression. Girls are treated differently from boys since birth. They are not given enough food compared to boys and they suffer from nutritional deficits. Girls are far more prone to malnutrition in South Asia than boys are. They also tend to suffer from a host of other ailments and still preferential medical treatment is given to boys. â€Å"Educational indicators of South Asian women although recording improvement in recent years, are some of the worst in the world, especially at technical and higher levels. Women constitute only 17 percent of technical students, and South Asian governments spend approximately 4. 4 percent of their educational budgets on technical and scientific education†14 It is of little wonder that women are subject to economic inequality judging from the statistics above. In conclusion in can be said that gender disparity greatly underpins major social and economic inequalities in South Asia. This is evident in the Legal systems, educational systems and medical systems and social systems of South Asia. It can be seen that the root of a lot of economic and social evils in South Asia are due to gender disparity between men and women. If South Asia is to progress as a society as a whole, gender disparity must be eradicated or if not, at least curbed.

Compare and Contrast the Main Principles Psychological Therapies

Good psychological health is characteristic of a person's ability to complete some key functions and activities, including: learning ability, ability of feel, expression and management of all kinds of positive and negative emotions, the ability to form and maintain good human relations and the ability of deal with and change management and uncertainty. (Mental health foundation) Good psychological health not only is the lack of may diagnose mental health problems, although a good mental health may help prevent the development of many of these issues.There are some mental health problems: strong emotional experience, behavior/motivation to change, physical/physical symptoms, unrealistic idea and thought prejudice and distress and damage function, etc. So in order to tackle those mental health problems, psychology clients need some effectively therapeutic approaches to treat. In generally, treating common mental health problems can through two main ways: Medication therapy and Psycholo gical therapies. The ratio is 2:1 preference psychological therapy and medication therapy, when people seeking treatment for common psychological health problems.It can be seen that people are more willing to choose psychological therapies to treat their problems. The psychological therapies including: psychodynamic therapy, behavior therapy, humanistic therapy, cognitive therapy, systemic and family therapies. (Kate Cavanagh(lecture), 2012) In this essay, I will focus on the behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. Following paragraph will analysis the behavior therapy and the paragraph next the behavior therapy will explain cognitive therapy in detail. In the finally paragraph I will compare and contrast the main principles between behavior therapy and cognitive therapy.Behavior therapy The definition of behavior therapy is a nonbiological form of therapy that developed largely out of learning theory research and that is normally applied directly, incrementally, and experimentally in the treatment of specific maladaptive behavior patterns. (Erwin, 1978, p. 44) There are two main principles here, ‘the classical conditioning principles’ and ‘the operant learning principles’. Classical conditioning is the learnt association between stimulus and response. Behaviorists have described many different phenomenons with classical conditioning. The most famous xperiment is a famous physiologist Ivan Petrovich(1894-1936)’s experiment. The experiment is about the salivary reflex in dong. Without any special training in any way, when the researcher put the meat in a healthy dog’s mouth (the stimulus), the dog is starting to produce saliva quickly (the response). Then the assistant put the meat in a healthy dog’s mouth, and the dog still producing saliva, different from last time, at the same time assistant was ringing the bell. Finally, when assistant is ringing bell, the dog will producing saliva. It can be summing up to thre e basic stages of classical conditioning. Geoffrey L L, 1990) Stage 1: food (unconditioned stimulus) can lead to salivation (unconditioned response). And bell (neutral stimulus) can lead to nothing (no effect). Stage 2: food (unconditioned stimulus) linked with bell (neutral stimulus), and food still lead to salivation (unconditioned response). Stage 3: bell (conditioned stimulus) can lead to salivation (conditioned response) directly. (Kendra Cherry (1)) Based on classical conditioning principles, the therapeutic approaches include: systematic desensitisation, aversion therapy, flooding and counter-conditioning / reciprocal inhibition.Joseph Wolpe, behavior therapy pioneer, developed a technology, called systematic desensitization therapy for anxiety related diseases and phobia. Systematic desensitization usually begins to see yourself in a progress and use relaxed fear and anxiety of the competition strategy. Once you can successfully manage your anxiety and imagine terrible event s, you can use this technology in real life this kind of situation. The process's goal is to be gradually to trigger cause you pain. (Sheryl Ankrom, 2009) The procedure shows us the desensitization process in following figure. Source from: ‘The practice of behavior therapy’ (Third Edition), Copyright 1982, Pergamon Books Ltd. ) As the figure shows, when anxiety evolking potential of A is reduced from 1 to 0, B automatically is reduced from 2 to 1, and so forth. Aversion therapy is a form of therapy, the use of behavior principle to eliminate unwanted behavior. In the treatment, unnecessary stimulation is repeated collocation discomfort. Regulating process goal is to make the individual association stimulus and unpleasant or uncomfortable feeling. Kendra Cherry (2)) That means using the pairs problem stimulus (e. g. alcohol) with aversive outcome (e. g. nausea), to deter engagement. In the aversion therapy, the client may be asked to want to or participation behavior the y enjoy and contact some unpleasant things such as bad smell, a bad smell or even mild electric shock. Once the unpleasant feeling become related behavior, hope is unnecessary actions or action will begin to decrease in the frequency or completely stop. Mainly the aversion therapy can be used in bad habits, addictions, alcoholism, smoking, gambling etc.The overall effectiveness of aversion therapy can depend on many factors, including the use of methods, and whether the clients to continue after practice the prevention and treatment of recurrence. In some cases, the client may return to previous behavior patterns once their treatment and no longer exposed to frighten. One of the most important disadvantages is aversion therapy the lack of rigorous scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness. A question of ethics in the treatment of the use of penalty is a bigger worry. Flooding is prolonged exposure to feared stimulus and counter-conditioning / Reciprocal inhibition.Pairs feared stimulus (e. g. giving a talk) with new response (e. g. feeling relaxed and confident). Those two therapeutic approaches are not very popular than systematic desensitisation and aversion therapy, so I just describe them briefly. (Kendra Cherry (2)) Operant conditioning is a kind of study method that occurred in the behavior of the rewards and punishment. An association is made between behavior and result of behavior, through the operant conditioning. The most different from classical conditioning is the behaviors are voluntary. Geoffrey L &Sheryl L, 1990) There are two main concepts in operant conditioning: reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement is any event that raises the behavior follows. Positive reinforcers and negative reinforcers are the main point in positive reinforcers. Positive reforcers are presented after the behavior. The response or behavior is strengthened by the praise or a direct reward, which reflect positive reinforcement. And negative reinforcers involve th e removal or outcomes after the display of behavior. In both of these cases of reinforcement, the behavior rises.On the other hand, punishment is the presentation of outcome or event that caused a decrease in behavior. There are also two kinds of punishment: positive punishment and negative punishment. Positive punishment involves presentation of event or outcome, in order to recede the response. And negative punishment as a punishment by removal is removed after behavior occurs. Both of these case of punishment the behavior decrease. (Kendra Cherry (3)) Operant conditioning key is to use either rewards and punishment mechanism increase or decrease a behavior.Through this process, the association formed between the behavior and the behavior of the consequences. For example, suppose that a coach tried to teach the dog to get a ball. When dog successful chase and picked up the ball, the dog was praised as a reward. When an animal can't search ball, coach reserved praise. Finally, the dog form a connection between his behavior of the grab the ball and receive the reward. Cognitive therapy Cognitive therapy = cognitive behavior therapy (CPT). It is a way of talking about how you think about yourself, how what you do affects your thoughts and feeling and the world and other people. Windy Dryden & William L. Golden, 1978) Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help you to change how you think (Cognitive) and what you do (Behaviour). After those changes you will feel better than beforetime . It is different from some of the other treatments, it focuses on more the ‘here and now' problems and difficulties rather than focusing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now. (Nancy Schimelpfening, 2007) A lot of mental health problems like anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder bulimia, panic, disorder, depression etc. an be treated by cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). (Brian Sheldon,1995) Everything have both side, also cognitive behavior therapy have some problems. For example, CBT is not a fast repair. A therapist can give you advises or encourages, however they cannot do it for you. If you are depressed, it difficult to excitation and concentrate. (Alec G, Michael T, Ronam M & Nigel S, 2010) Also to overcome anxiety, you need to face it. This may make you feel more eager for a short period of time. Good doctors will your conversational pace. You decide what you do together, so you should keep control. (RCPSYCH)Compare and contrast the main principles in cognitive therapy to behavior threapy. Behavior therapyCognitive therapy focuses on changing undesirable behaviors. Behavior therapy involves identifying objectionable, maladaptive behaviors and replacing them with healthier types of behavior. focuses on working with the client to identify and evaluate potentially unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. Key point: classical conditioning principles. operant learning principles. Key point: chang e how you think (Cognitive) change what you do (Behaviour) Therapy may longer. Therapy may be quiet brief or longer for more severe or complex difficulties

Serotonin syndrome Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Serotonin syndrome - Thesis Example The determining factor in disease management is therefore, early recognition of the symptoms, which themselves are the major diagnostic factors. The essay is an outline of the researches contributing to an understanding of the various aspects of the disease. Introduction: Serotonin syndrome is a combination of symptoms that occur as a result of overstimulation of specific serotonin receptors. It usually develops as a consequence of administration of more than one (rarely one) drug that is a serotonergic agent. Described as a possibility first in 1955 by Mitchell, in a tuberculosis patient administered iproniazid and meperidine simultaneously, the disease has been in existence since much longer. Initially studied as a behavioural disorder exclusively in animals (Grahame-Smith, 1971), the disease was much later associated with humans (Insel et al., 1982). The increase in incidences of the syndrome was reported as a consequence of prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) for treatment of depression, which lead to an interest in serotonin syndrome. The disease is characterized by restlessness, incessant twitching, excitement, agitation and tremor or shivering. The disease severity can vary from mild to intense, though seve re cases of disease are rarely reported and can be treated by withdrawal of causative agents as well as use of serotonin antagonists. In its most severe form the disease can even be life threatening. Serotonin: Chemically 5-hydroxytryptamin or 5HT, Serotonin is a neurotransmitter formed by hydroxylation and decarboxylation of amino acid tryptophan. It is involved in the control and expression of a plethora of feelings ranging from depression and psychosis, to hunger and slumber. It also plays important role in body temperature, sexual behaviour, pain and memory. Serotonin secreting neurons are known as serotonergic. However, serotonin function is determined

Comparitive Criminal Justice from a Global Standpoint Research Paper

Comparitive Criminal Justice from a Global Standpoint - Research Paper Example Based on these points of view, the shifts in crime control are mainly the outcomes of the internal pressures of development, notwithstanding temporal and spatial realities. Second, the world system assumptions have argued that present developing nations are reliant upon, and to differing extents, developed nations. Thus, the changes in crime control in any nation, despite of its developmental condition, are mainly the outcomes of external pressures, with respect to a shifting political economy. And lastly, the opportunity assumptions have disputed that crime control show a combination of developing physical resources and social contexts (Cochrane et al., 2004). Therefore, changes in crime patterns, throughout time, are mainly the outcomes of intermingling internal and external forces. And so it becomes clear: With globalization, international competition and exchanges of products and services, culture, knowledge and information emerges the global progress in crime control. However, these global growths are not unburdened by the domestic realities of politics, social change, nationalism and policies. Therefore, it is promoted in this paper that the completely integrative comparative discussion of crime control should consider these sets of forces, particularly as they interrelate with one another. From a global perspective, a depressing result of the weakening of the relationship between the East and the West has been the entry of disagreement, conflict and global crime. An outcome of the end of the Cold War during the recent decade has been the global increase in border and transnational crimes, particularly those related to the illegal exporting and importing of products and services. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the weakening of transnational regulations all over Eastern Europe, and the launching of the free

A Qualitative Study on African American Women Administrators as Dissertation

A Qualitative Study on African American Women Administrators as Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Dissertation Example Despite this major accomplishment, African American women who are employed in HBCUs still face varied barriers that impede their advancement to ranks of powers. This study will explore the various barriers that confront African American women who are working as administrators in HBCUs in Georgia. In addition, this study will look at the various challenges and situations that serve as major roadblocks to the advancement of African American women in higher ranks in HBCUs. Chapter 1 presents the rationale of the study. By outlining the need to study African American women administrators, this study will help in the further enlightenment of the power dynamics evident in race and gender studies. In this chapter, the different barriers experienced by African American women holding administrative positions in HBCUs in Georgia are introduced. This chapter also discusses the problem and background of the study. In order to address the problems being examined by this study, a qualitative appro ach will be used. Qualitative methodology can help identify possible barriers that may exist for African American women striving for higher level administration positions through the in-depth analysis of the contexts that operate within the dynamics between African American women and positions of power. ... In addition, this chapter focuses on the significance of the study, nature of the study, theoretical framework, assumptions, limitations, and delimitations Background of the Problem According to Davis (2009) despite the high percentage of African American women employment in higher education, they still could not get into the office of the president in these higher educational institutions. Between 1986 and 2006, the percentage of African American women representation in college and universities rose from 4% to 8%. Although statistics show a growth in representation of African American women as presidents, in 2006, all women represented 45% of faculty and senior administrators revealing the lack of promotion into presidencies at college and universities (American Council on Education, 2007). Consequently, even though the number of woman occupying presidential positions has increased tremendously, this increase has been at a slower pace. The American Council of Education (ACE, 2007) s tates that from 1986 to 2006 women presidents went from 9.5% to 23% (p.7) compared to white men presidents which make 92% in 1986 and 88% in 2006. As regards African American women, Garner (2006) posits that they are making strides in representation in tenured track positions as well as presidencies. In fact, these presidential opportunities have created a voice for leaders such as Dr. Marvalene Hughes, president of California State University-Stanislaus, encouraging administrators to get a mentor in order to prevail against the glass ceiling that hinders female opportunities of promotion to higher levels of administration, ultimately resulting in presidency (Hamilton, 2004). By understanding the history and the

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 10

Human Resource Management - Essay Example 155). Human resource planning is the process in which the organization determines and lays strategies to acquire, and maintain the right quantities of human resource pool, in the right ratios of skills ,character and knowledge to fit the organization demands at current and in the future .In a period of recession the strategies employed largely depend on the mission, vision as well as its strategies and functions .Organizations will in most times plan in anticipation of a recession .most organizations result to more efficient utilization of the available human capital especially in states in which large payoffs are required in cases of lay offs .It is inescapable to lay off in cases of large loss making sessions as has been experienced by ZAIN mobile company which operate in parts of Asia and Africa (Punnett, 2004, p. 155).. The other strategy is diversification of product lines to produce more demanded goods such as consumable goods. Companies usually take a thorough evaluation of their product or services and take note of their potential risks .survey conducted in over 130 firms in Europe and America including Microsoft corporation shows that firms engage in revenue generating rather than cost cutting strategies ,this however is common to small startup firms with large widespread firms engaging in cost cutting strategies such as low investment thus cutting on new recruitments .In response to their new skills requirement they result in hiring on contractual basis ,and limited to specific skills .Generally during recession most firms engage in short term human resource planning due to the uncertainties associated with recession ,a good example is the General motors company (Storey, 1999, p. 130). It should be noted that firm sizes affects their response to human resource planning which is largely based on firm size

Analysis on Saudi Arabia's Fiscal Policy and the Oil Prices Assignment

Analysis on Saudi Arabia's Fiscal Policy and the Oil Prices - Assignment Example Policy Recommendations 6.1: Shrinking the Government 6.2: Diversifying the Economy 6.3: Energy Prise Reform 6.4: Regulation for Increased Efficiency 6.5: Adding Renewable Source of Energy 6.6: Nuclear Power Ambition Executive Summary The fiscal policy of any nation is the backbone of its prosperous future. The fiscal policies of oil exporting countries are viewed with concern all over the world because oil price is the determining factor of prosperity for all the world’s leading nations. Saudi Arabia is a prominent oil exporter of the world. Its economic policies influence the cost of oil it is exporting directly and the industrial development of many other nations indirectly. Though Saudi Arabia’s fiscal policy is appreciated as a balanced and best one by reputed institutions like International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are countless untold issues hidden under it. Oil is a highly diminishing form of natural energy. The government is taking many productive steps to pro tect this sustainable energy and thinking about alternate ways of employment, other than oil drilling. The paper discusses the important issues on Saudi Arabia’s fiscal policies and gives useful recommendations to overcome them effectively. Introduction King Abdal Aziz ibn Al Saud created the Saudi Arabia kingdom by uniting several small Arabic nations together in 1932. This Middle East Peninsula covers over 2.23 million square kilometres, most of which are oil rich desserts (Hitti & Abed, 1974). Oil drilling became an important and thriving business in the area by 1950's. Since then drilling oil has been main occupation of the nation for the past 7 decades. All the progressive measures of the government from improving infrastructure to transport facilities depend upon the profits generated by the oil exported to the developed countries. The countercyclical fiscal policies of Saudi Arabia won accolades around the world by the way it handled the global economic downturn in 200 8-2009. The savings of the surplus during the last 5 years enabled the government to manage the recession with poise and comfort. But, there were several hidden truths behind this. Thousands of labours or manual workers lost their job in the recession. Planes were booked in bulk to transport these people back to the eastern countries where they came from. Several major construction projects related to the industrial and infrastructure needs of the country were stalled until the world economy regained itself. According to the neoclassical growth model in economy, the long-term growth is determined by continuous supply of productive resources and productivity. The governments expansive spending doesn’t seem to give importance to the productive supplies. If the countries major plans startle, at the minor oil rate infraction due to problems in the world economy, how adverse would the effects be if the sustainable oil is depleted completely. Saudi Arabia cannot take a single stand in this issue. It should consider the stand of its neighbouring countries exporting oil too. Here is a table showing the list of its oil exporting co-countries. Figure Reference: (Sturm, M. Gurtner, Francois & Alegre, J, 2009, p - 8) Considering the fiscal performance of all the major oil dependant countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia, the main problems faced by them are 1. The sudden sharp fall of oil price 2. The highly sustainable natural resources 3. The challenges arising out of specific domestic issues (Low cost oil

Social institution - health-care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Social institution - health-care - Essay Example the theory also views that the study of the social world can be free of value because the investigators value will not interfere with the impartial search for social laws that oversee the behavior pattern of a social system. The theory of functionalism is closely associated with the ideas of Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist who is among the pioneers who used scientific as well as statistic research in sociological researches (FUNCTIONALISM). The second theory of social conflict is dependent on the ideas of Karl Marx. It gives importance to a materialistic interpretation of the history as well as includes a dialectical method used for analysis, a critical approach towards existing social commitments, and the last but not the least, a political program that may lead to revolution. The materialistic viewpoint of history is based on the assumption that the most important aspect of social life is work that people do. This is the work that is related for satisfying the basic necessities of life that includes food, shelter and clothing. According to Marx, work is always socially organized and the technology that is used in the production process will have a strong impact on each and every aspect of the society. Everything that has a value in the society is a result of human labor. Working men and women are making the society for their own existence (CONFLICT THEORY). The theory of interactionism was further developed by Karp and Yoels. This theory can be applied to every area of sociology. This theory clearly states that people make social constructions of reality. These are just interpretations of what actually happens in a society. According to symbolic interaction theory, interaction requires shared meanings of social conditions. When people make interpretation about events and contexts, they confer the actual meaning of their situations and react according to those interpretations. Interpretation made here is based on verbal and non verbal signals. The

What Are You Made of, the Role of Faith in Social Identity Essay Example for Free

What Are You Made of, the Role of Faith in Social Identity Essay What are you made of? This is truly a difficult question to answer if one would really take the time to ponder it. How would you arrive at the conclusion of describing who you are and the things you believe in? What are the things that made you as an individual? Inevitably, there will be several social, spiritual, and political issues that one may have to battle with to arrive at a sound conclusion. Life is complex and that is a certain fact. The complexity life offers for various people with different political affiliations, religious views, and socioeconomic status may be one arena of conflict. How will these differences be reconciled by the government who must develop national consciousness among its citizens? How will the Philippines become united amidst of these cultural differences? It is also the same question for the people, are they willing to compromise their values and beliefs for the unity of the country? These are questions which have no certain answers. For years now, there have been efforts made by the government and educational institutions that are geared towards resolving this conflict. However, it will take time before the country would experience such desired changes. The Philippines is a largely diverse country. Not only is the country multicultural, it is also multilingual. This situation makes it all the more difficult for the educational system to cater to the different needs of each sector. On the national level, the Department of Education has issued memorandums pertaining to ‘generic’ programs addressing these issues. However, the lack of material resources and the lack of interest from stakeholders are the factors responsible for hampering envisioned improvements. While on the community level, there are also initiatives from the teachers themselves who make their own changes and adaptations depending on the needs of their students. By the age of four, most Filipino children go to school to study. They learn about their own identity and the roles as expected from their identity, their being Filipino and duties of citizenship, the community they live in, and certain cultural beliefs and values. All these form the foundation of their beliefs about their identity and the country at large. This ‘indoctrination’ goes on until college. From here we can see that the life of one student is virtually fashioned inside the school. Thus, the school can be said to be a ‘breeding ground’ where various social identities are shaped. And so the question now is, â€Å"How will schools mold Filipino identity? † and at the same time reconcile it with other social identities such as ethnicity and religion without marginalizing cultural or religious beliefs. This process of molding holds much importance for educators because I think that one of the most significant functions of Philippine education is to inculcate Filipino identity and nationalist consciousness. As a teacher, I believe that a person’s religion bears so much importance in how that person thinks and behaves in the social context. It serves as the guiding light or reference point as to which decisions regarding experiences are based. Seeing that the Philippines has several religions, it becomes one social divider in the nation. Believers of certain faith have their own teachings that should be strictly adhered to regarding the political system and cultural beliefs and practices that may sometimes coincide with the rules of the state. For instance, believers of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not pledge the Panatang Makabayan because they believe that they should only place their faith or for that matter, state their allegiance in the god that they serve. Moreover, I believe that religion really matters for the majority of the Filipinos. And this is the root of conflicts, discrimination, and prejudice between Christians and Non-Christians that are manifested in different areas such as the political and economic system. The values certain groups of communities hold are important for them that they desire the next generation to also believe to these values. In addition, cultural practices are also passed on from generation to generation. This process is evident in the articles discussed in class where indigenous peoples argue for a system of education in which traditional knowledge should be included and given more emphasis. More so, the lessons provided by the public education system are starkly different from indigenous knowledge systems and practices. This creates a conflict because the significant values and practices are not learned by the youth of the community. Hence, elders develop apprehension toward the public school system. Although they acknowledge the beneficial effects of having to go to school, what matters most for them is the sustainable development of values and traditional cultural beliefs and practices of their ancestral community. This case is also similar with Islamic education. There is a problem for Muslims in Mindanao pertaining to the choice of schools for their children. For Muslims, spiritual growth in their children’s religious faith is a more important factor in choosing a school. However, Islam is not a subject offered in the public school system. As a conclusion, I think that the belief and value system is the most important factor in the formation of social identities. An individual’s social identity is intimately tied to the religion he is a member of. This also becomes the primary basis for the further development of his social identity. Because of these conflicts, educational institutions have been classified into sectarian and non-sectarian to cater to the different needs of their clients. Parents who are Catholics want their children to study in a Catholic school to ensure that their children would grow up with values they believe in. Furthermore, members of Iglesia Ni Cristo also do the same as well as members of the Christian community. This system is also the same for nationalities. Chinese parents prefer to enroll their children into Chinese schools. Muslim parents prefer to enroll their children to Madrasah. Based on this observation, membership to certain groups or having to identify with a group’s belief and values system becomes one important factor in parents’ decision regarding their children’s education. Thus, educational institutions become an agent in the processes of indoctrination of certain beliefs and practices that may marginalize other religion and cultural practices. Inevitably, they also reproduce existing social structures that up to the present time is unfair for many. Another problem with the present curriculum is its exclusion of local knowledge systems that bears much significance with the country’s indigenous peoples or with a particular group. In my opinion, the curriculum had put too much emphasis on global literacy or keeping at par with international standards. There is nothing wrong with this proposition. The only problem is that local knowledge systems have been marginalized for a long time which should have been a part of the curriculum in the first place. One goal of Philippine education is to mold the ‘Filipino’ identity in its students. If this is the goal, then it also follows that local history and cultural beliefs and practices should be an important part of the curriculum beginning in the elementary. The present curriculum has the Makabayan subject (Sibika at Kultura and Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, Sibika) as one way of teaching students Philippine culture and history. In spite of this, I think some of indigenous knowledge systems and practices are important so it should be included in the national curriculum. The inclusion would make students understand and appreciate more their being ‘Filipino’ and would be exposed to various local histories and cultures. Hence, they would become appreciative of the diversity of Filipino cultures. I also think that the national curriculum is a ‘colonial make-up’ of foreign education. The current system of education here in the Philippines especially the private schools are more inclined to producing students who are equipped with the skills needed for globalization but are alien to their own country. Yes, academic and professional competence in the global village can be beneficial to the country in terms of economic advancement. However, the problem is that there is no balance between what Filipinos truly are as a race and what they need to know as part of a larger global community. As an observation, I think that students nowadays are not rooted in their own culture and history as Filipinos. Most often than not, the kind of students schools produce have a mentality of a foreigner. In school, they learn extensively of a lot of things such as world histories, architecture, literature, famous scientists, etc. Although they study Philippine history and literature, what they learn is, again, the ‘generics’ or the ‘mainstream’ which can be discriminating against indigenous peoples and Muslims history and culture. And this is both a danger and challenge for Philippine society. The government does not want to produce generation of students who are not rooted in the Filipino culture. So they have to adapt to the needs of the different sectors present in Philippine society. For the country, an individual’s rootedness in his own culture is much needed by the country because this is one way of instilling nationalist consciousness. This can be done gradually through shaping of a Filipino identity beginning in the elementary grades. Moreover, this ‘shaping process’ should be meaningfully linked to a person’s religious belief and value system. Because of this, I believe that the end result would be better. When education can establish a meaningful bridge between Filipino identity and a community’s religion, more and more Muslims and indigenous peoples would develop a sense of being a Filipino finally a part of the collective imagining of the nation. In my opinion, the reason for the Muslim’s apprehension toward the public school system and the nation as a whole is that they do not feel the sense of belongingness because the Philippine government has not been responding to their needs and rights to education. Since Islam is a vital part of their lives and unfortunately, the public school system does not offer this as a subject, they prefer to enroll their children in Madrasah that do not develop Muslims’ national consciousness of being a Filipino. Therefore, students who finish from these schools grow up to be Muslims and not Filipino. Likewise, I believe that the national curriculum is not a ‘generic’ or a ‘one-size-fits-all’ process of education. The Department of Education and teachers as well cannot just prescribe a general program of education to students who are socially differentiated with each other. If the Philippines want to envision the Filipino race as having a nationalist consciousness and wanting each and everyone to be part of the collective imagining of the nation, then it is better for the education sector to acknowledge different local languages, ethnic groups, indigenous knowledge system and practices, and religions. I believe that through this acknowledgement and inclusion, indigenous peoples and Muslims would gradually learn and love to be a part of this country. A person’s social identity is so much affected by the socio-cultural milieu. As a teacher, I should be aware of my students’ background so I could help them in strengthening the development of their identity as Filipino, as a member of a religious community, and as a member of a group. All these contribute to the formation of a person’s social identity and not one should be left out. Being to identify with a group and having a sense of belongingness all contribute to an individual’s over-all well-being and the nation’s well-being too.

Public Awareness Campaign Review: Homelessnesss

Public Awareness Campaign Review: Homelessnesss Obispo, Stacey L. In 2011, there were 46.2 million individuals in the United States that were living in poverty (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). The majority of these individuals are renters. Many of these low income individuals do not have enough money to scrape by for household items because 71% of low income renters devote more than half of their income for housing (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014) .Therefore many people with very low incomes have to remove the cost of housing from their expenses. Even more concerning is for the time being there is only rent subsidies available for only 24 % of households who are qualified to receive them(National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). Consequently many individuals are left to face homelessness because of the lack of rent subsidies. This paper aims to address the issue of homelessness caused by unaffordable housing in America by examining the campaign for Restoring Housing Voucher Funding by the National Coalition for the Homeless . In addition, this paper will analyze the effectiveness of preventing homelessness by the use of the Housing Voucher Campaign and its promotion of Housing Voucher Funding known as section 8. Purpose The purpose of National Coalition for the Homeless is to stop and end homelessness, make sure the immediate needs of individuals who are homeless are met, and their civil rights are protected (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). The National Coalition for the Homeless is comprised of a system of people who are; presently homeless or have encountered homelessness, activists and advocates, community based and faith– based service providers, and others (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). The National Coalition for the Homeless discusses the social issue of homelessness that affects many communities throughout the United States. They address the issue of homelessness by providing prevention and promotion initiatives and by also highlighting specific groups that are at risk such as families, youths, the elderly, veterans and individuals who identify themselves as LGBT. For example, the National Coalition for the Homeless (2014) has several campaigns to address prev ention and promotion initiatives such as: The National Campaign for Youth Shelter, Restoring Housing Voucher Funding, Hate Crimes and Violence Prevention, Homeless Bill of Rights, You Don’t Need a Home to Vote, Bringing America Home Campaign and Homeless People’s Action Network. Protective and Risk Processes Protective processes for Restoring Housing Voucher Funding campaign is sought by strengthening the lines of communication with policy makers. This is done by asking Congress to restore funding that was cut from housing vouchers in 2013 and building a stronger grassroots network that can request change for the millions of people who need housing assistance and are not receiving it (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014) .The risks processes the program is trying to weaken is unaffordable housing, poverty, and homelessness within all populations. The National Coalition for the Homeless (2014) seeks to lessen the risks of homelessness by including the provision of inexpensive housing and employment that pays a living wage. Population The population that is being focused on in the Restoring Housing Voucher Funding campaign is individuals who make inadequate funds to meet escalating rents. This population is chosen by their socioeconomic class and all locations throughout the United States including urban, suburban, and rural areas are a part of the campaign. Individuals who are defined within this population are those with extremely low incomes that make no more than $19,706 annually (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2014). Nationally at this rate these individuals can only afford to spend no more than $493 a month on rent (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2014). However the national fair market rate has risen to $984 for a two bedroom and $788 for a one bedroom (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2014). Evidently there is a disparity of $491 a month for those in a two bedroom rental and a disparity of $ 295 a month for individuals in a one bedroom rental that must be met each month. A rental cost that an individual can afford is based on 30% of their income (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2014). Unfortunately in no state a full-time minimum wage worker cannot afford a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom rental unit at Fair Market Rent. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and to be able to afford a two bedroom rental without interfering with other necessities (e.g. food, clothing, childcare, utilities) the renter needs to at least make $18.92 an hour (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2014). Social Systems A social system that safeguards against homelessness is parents/ families. Many parents allow their grown children and their families to live with them so that they can all afford to pay rent and basic necessities. This is called doubling up. Religious settings and community organizations offer ways to help with homelessness by offering shelters for those who are unable to afford housing (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). Social systems that contribute to the problem of homelessness in the United States are the rising costs to health care (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). Many times individuals with very low incomes have to choose between going to the doctor and paying rent. Many individuals who face homelessness need medical and mental health services. Some workplaces also contribute to the problem of homelessness. Workplaces which offer employees minimum wage contribute toward the problem because they cannot afford the cost of rent. Many of these individuals have to work two jobs or more than 80 hours a week to afford life’s basic necessities (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2014). Ecological Levels The ecological level of analysis the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) produced in their article shows that homelessness affects the individual, microsystems, organizations, localities and macrosytems. This article is a part of the resources used at the National Coalition for the Homeless website regarding their Restoring Housing Voucher Funding campaign. The article’s focus is on homeless persons and how the various ecological levels contribute to the problem and how they can help. The article offers suggestions on ways supportive housing (individual) can actually produce savings for federal (macrosytem), state, and local governments (localities) comparatively to emergency shelters (organizations) and institutionalized care for the homeless. For instance they found that in one year assigning high cost hospital patients in Los Angeles into everlasting supportive housing lead to a net public cost evasion of almost $32,000 per person .This sum even in cludes the costs for housing subsidies and housing placement. The article further addresses how individuals are affected by the government sequester cuts which resulted into many individuals losing voucher assistance. Microsystems are addressed in the article by pointing out how many families and individual face homelessness due to struggles with substance abuse, mental illness, or domestic violence. Overall the aim of the article is to provoke debate over government policy and increase funding and assistance programs to aid in the problem with homelessness. Although the article addresses how homelessness affects the individual, microsystems, organizations, localities its primary focus is its emphasis through the macrosytem- government. It seems appropriate to target the macrosystem of government because government policy can ensure that change can be affected nation -wide. Prevention and Promotion Prevention according to National Coalition for the Homeless (2009) can be obtained by closing the gap between income and housing costs. This type of prevention responds to predictable life circumstances such as being able to afford life’s basic necessities and affording health care .In order for such a change to be completed the National Coalition for the Homeless (2009) states that government, labor, and the private sectors need to unite. They further conclude that when such can be completed all Americans who work can then have an opportunity to get employment that would pay a livings wage along with necessary support such as child care and transportation to maintain it. Promotion of housing assistance and supportive services can offer individuals facing homelessness an opportunity to obtain self –sufficiency according to The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014). The way this is completed is by addressing the root causes of poverty. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) found that programs that offer housing assistance along with supportive services can make significant changes in individuals and give these individuals an opportunity to get themselves out of poverty by addressing poverty causes. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) state past results have shown it is possible to impact and make changes in individuals needing supportive housing. This is completed through improved employment and salaries amongst those of legal working age along with on-site job hubs where individuals can get job search help and appointments to vocational training. The next recommen dation they offer is to supply adjusted rent rules so that these low income individuals can grow their earnings without worrying that their rents will also increase. The Final recommendation they give is to encourage neighbor-to-neighbor contact amongst low income individuals. By encouraging conversation these individuals can communicate about the news of job opportunities within the neighborhood and inspire community upkeep towards finding work. Social Injustice and Small Wins The article by The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) focuses on the social issue of poverty and homelessness. The article addresses its social injustice by pointing out that 19.3 million are eligible for assistance but only 4.4 million receive support due to lack of federal funding for voucher programs. Small wins in prevention and promotion would be to offer families and individuals who have a very low income; free childcare, vocational training and paid apprenticeships so that they can catapult themselves out of poverty and reduce their risk towards homelessness. Prevention/Promotion Intervention The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) reported on a study on Jobs-Plus for their prevention of homelessness and promotion intervention of housing assistance with supportive services. The U.S. Department of Public Housing Planned the intervention between 1998 and 2003 on six public housing developments across the country (HUD.GOV). Individuals living within these units met the criteria for very low incomes. The Jobs -Plus program is not a national program available in every community only selected communities are chosen. Individuals that are involved in the program are able to make decisions as to what jobs they want to apply for (HUD.GOV). Sensitivity to the context of individuals living with low incomes is considered because Jobs- Plus offers opportunities such as employment centers to help search for gainful employment, referrals to job training so these individuals can select a career that will offer a higher income, and adjusted rent rules to help these individuals afford rent(HUD.GOV).. Stake holders included in the program are HUD, an association of foundations, and private funders (HUD.GOV). Effectiveness The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) reported that an arduous evaluation of the Jobs-Plus program was conducted and found a meek but long-term increase in salaries for individuals within the program at the various locations where the program was available. The Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC) is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the evaluation of employment and welfare-to-work strategies, MDRC provides technical assistance and designs and implements Job- plus plans over a 5-year period (HUD.GOV). MDRC evaluates the long term effects in each Job-plus sites approach to Jobs-plus residents, communities, families, public housing developments, and the lessons learned from other experiences by other sites (HUD.GOV). MDRC is funded by HUD, the Rockefeller Foundation, and other public agencies and charities (HUD.GOV). In each site MDRC randomly evaluates one housing development that is randomly selected (through a type of lottery) to operate Jobs-Plus from a matched pair or triplet of eligible public housing developments nominated by the local public housing authority(Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). The remaining housing development groups are assigned as comparison groups (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005).Long term data and trends are recorded to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. The data was retrieved from administrative records of government agencies for up to six years before and six years after Jobs-Plus was launched in 1998(Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005).In addition residents that participated in the program partook in surveys which evaluated their experiences with economic and material well-being, social conditions, personal safety, residential satisfaction, and child well-being. Job-plus made a difference in participants lives because living conditions were very difficult in both Jobs-P lus and comparison developments before the initiative was introduced. (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). Objectives The intervention of Job-Plus programs shows that it aids in making sure that the very low income population are not homeless while they are enrolled in the program. One of the objectives clearly met by the program was to increase the wages of participants (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). The findings state that participants on average increased their wages by 6.2 % while others who did not partake in the program had no increase (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). The study found that individuals who partook in the program sustained their income over time. The intervention was only effective in settings in which the Job-Plus program was used. Other comparison groups had no change (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). In sum the Jobs-Plus program is only effective if the full program is adhered to not just excerpts of it(Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). Another objective was to drop the amount of welfare recipients (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). This objective was not met because after Jobs-Plus was la unched there was a decline however the decline was not related to Jobs-Plus (Bloom, Riccio, Verma, 2005). Conclusion The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University (2014) authored an article which stated the Jobs-Plus program is an effective tool that gives individuals living in poverty tools to aid against homelessness. The authors are correct that this can be an effective tool because it aids in helping individuals get into vocational schools, encourages community contact with neighbors, and helps individuals find gainful employment. The important findings these authors present are that housing vouchers can be a good temporary protective aid against homelessness. Important inquiries the Jobs-Plus programs raises: When Job-Plus programs are introduced into communities, why not introduce the program along with positive beliefs systems to match not just community culture but cultures within the different ethnicities that reside in these communities? Another important question to consider: Why not make the Jobs-Plus program mandatory for all individuals that receive aid that are not disab led neighborhoods? An area for concern that is not addressed by the authors is that the Jobs-Plus program may not be an effective tool in preventing homelessness for everyone. This tool is only effective if individuals who want to help themselves. If one just wants to stay on welfare, receive housing vouchers, and buy into negative belief systems that keep them impoverished then tools such as Jobs-Plus will not be an aid. Coming out of poverty does not just take a hand-up it takes desire, will, and ambition. Increasing wages by 6.2 % is a change in a positive direction but the change is still minimal and not enough to place one in middle class. Despite this change these individuals are at risk for homelessness because they are still considered to have a low income. Perhaps now their income maybe not is on the very low side after the 6% increase nonetheless they are still at risk. References Bloom, H., Riccio, J. A., Verma, N. (2005). Promoting work in public housing: The effectiveness of jobs-plus. Retrieved from http://www.mdrc.org/publication/promoting-work-public-housing HUD.GOV. (2014). Jobs-plus community revitalization initiative. Retrieved from http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/programdescription/jobsplus Joint Center for Housing Studies Harvard University. (2014). Americas rental housing-evolving market and needs: Rental housing assistance. Retrieved from http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/research National Coalition for the Homeless. (2009). Employment and homelessness. Retrieved from http://nationalhomeless.org/issues/economic-justice/ National Coalition for the Homeless. (2014). Restoring housing voucher funding. Retrieved from http://nationalhomeless.org/campaigns/restoring-housing-voucher-funding/ National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2014). Out of reach 2014: Twenty-five years later the housing crisis continues. National Low Income Housing Coalition, 248.Retrieved from: http://nlihc.org/oor/2014

Acute Inflammation 2nd Degree Burn Case Study Biology Essay

Acute Inflammation 2nd Degree Burn Case Study Biology Essay A 43 year old female presents with a burn on her left forearm. There is significant erythema that covers the entire proximal forearm in the shape of a circle. She complains of numbness and tingling down her pinky. There is only pain upon contact of the wound so she has to wear a short sleeve shirt. She burned herself while boiling hot water and spilling it on herself. The wound became red and swollen and gradually became worse over the course of two days. She has mild blistering and scalding across her forearm. She is determined to have a second degree burn because of the severity of the erythema and blistering, but the lack of charring and discoloration does not indicate a third degree burn. She presents with a classic case of a second degree burn, although many different variations have been documented. The first method of treatment is to clean and cool the wound. Once the burn has been cleaned and cooled, it can be managed by the use of antibiotics, analgesics, and sometimes local anasthetics. The prognosis for burns depends primarily on the age of the patient and the surface area of the wound. Also, since burn injuries often present as comorbid conditions, the presence of smoke inhalation injury, debris, or bone fractures will strongly influence the prognosis. Skin burns can manifest in a variety of ways depending on the cause of the burn and also the severity of the burn. There are up to six degrees of burning, with each level of burn penetrating deeper into the skin layer. Burns can also be assessed in terms of total body surface area, which is the percentage affected by partial thickness or full thickness burns. Severe burns may require amputation, surgery, or skin grafting. When the first layer of skin (epidermis) is burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) is also burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Underneath the epidermis is where the hair follicles, blood vessels, nerve endings and sweat glands reside.  Underneath the dermis lie the muscles, nerves, larger blood vessels, and bones. Heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance increases following a major burn injury. This is due to the release of catecholamines from injured tissues, and the relative hypovolemia that occurs from fluid volume shifts. Initially, cardiac output decreases and approximately after 24 hours, cardiac output returns to normal and then increases to meet the hypermetabolic needs of the body. Immediately following injury, vasodilation is the first step in acute inflammation. Arterioles become dilated and then new capillary beds are formed in the area. This causes heat and redness to form, which allows for increased blood flow. There is increased vascular permeability which causes exudate to flow out in the intravascular tissues. The increase of extravascular fluid leads to swelling, or edema. An important function of acute inflammation is to activate and send out leukocytes to the site of injury. In the lumen, there is margination, rolling, and adhesion to the endothelium so the leukocytes can bind to the lumen. The next step is called transmigration, which is the migration of leukocytes to the endothelium. Chemokines act on the adherent leukocytes to help the cells migrate through endothelial spaces toward the site of injury. This process occurs predominantly in the venules. Next, leukocytes emigrate toward the injured area through a process called chemotaxis. All granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes respond to chemotactic stimuli at their own unique rate. Phagocytosis involves three distinct but interrelated steps: recognition of the particle to be engulfed by the leukocyte, ingestion, and degradation of the ingested material. Binding of a particle to phagocytic receptors causes the process of active phagocytosis to occur. The particle to be engulfed is completely surrounded within a phagosome. The membrane of the vacuole combines with the limiting membrane of a lysosomal granule, which results in the release of the granules contents into the phagolysosome. Throughout the process, the neutrophils and monocytes become increasingly degranulated. Microbial killing is largely carried out by oxygen-dependent mechanisms. Phagocytosis stimulates an increase in oxygen, increased glucose oxidation, and production of reactive oxygen intermediates. The regulators of inflammation have short half-lives and are manufactured in quick bursts, only for the amount of duration that the stimulus persists for. As inflammation progresses, the process also activates a variety of stop signals that actively terminate the reaction. These mechanisms cause a switch from the secretion of leukotrienes (pro-inflammatory) to lipoxins (anti-inflammatory). References Kumar V, Abbas A, Fausto N, Robbins S, Cotran R. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. Saunders; 2004 Burns (Medline) Web site. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/burns.html. Accessed October 22, 2010. Burns: First aid (MayoClinic) Web site. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022. Accessed October 22, 2010. Burns-Topic Overview (WebMD) Web site. Available at: http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/burns-topic-overview. Accessed October 22, 2010. Ernest Kim General Pathology Chronic inflammation à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ Chronic Bronchitis A 24 year old male presents with shortness of breath and an expectorating cough. He has been smoking hookah tobacco daily for the past six years. He has always had a weak immune system and has recently developed a constant cough within the last three months. A chest x-ray revealed hyperinflation of the lungs and auscultation of the lungs revealed prolonged expiration. The patient was determined to have chronic bronchitis due to the past history of chronic tobacco smoking and the consistent cough that has lasted for months. Common manifestations of chronic bronchitis include wheezing, productive cough, and occasionally chest pain, fever, and fatigue. There are a few different treatment protocols but the main one is smoking cessation and rest. In some cases, antibiotics or bronchodilators are prescribed. Early diagnosis of chronic bronchitis as well as smoking cessation, can drastically improve the probabilities of a good outcome. Individuals with chronic bronchitis that quit smoking e arly on can greatly slow the progression of lung deterioration; otherwise they risk becoming permanently disabled at some point. One major component of the mononuclear phagocyte system is macrophages, which consists of related cells such as tissue macrophages and blood monocytes. Monocytes migrate into many different tissues where they become macrophages. The lifespan of monocytes in the blood is about 24 hours, whereas tissue macrophages have a half-life of about several months to years. Early on during acute inflammation, monocytes emigrate into extravascular tissues, and within 48 hours they are established as the predominant cell type. The same factors that control neutrophil emigration, govern the extravasation of monocytes. When the monocyte gets to the extravascular tissue, it is transformed into a much larger phagocytic cell, which increases its cell size, metabolism, and ability to properly ingest microbes. In acute inflammation, when the invading cell is destroyed, macrophages eventually undergo necrosis or migrate back into the lymphatic system. However, in chronic inflammation, macrophage accumulation continues, and is regulated by different mechanisms. This army of regulators makes macrophages important and also powerful mediators in the bodys defense system, but the same arsenal can also create detrimental tissue damage when macrophages are activated inappropriately. As a result, tissue necrosis is one of the main setbacks of chronic inflammation. A wide range of substances in addition to the residual leftovers of macrophages can also contribute to tissue injury in chronic inflammation. Necrotic tissue can elevate the inflammatory response through the indirect activation of kinin, complement and fibrinolytic systems. Other cell types that contribute include mast cells, plasma cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. Mast cells are widely spread out in connective tissues and partake in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Although neutrophils are mainly characteristic of short-term inflammation, many types of chronic inflammation continue to exhibit large numbers of neutrophils. Neutrophils are especially important in chronic lung damage induced by persistent tobacco smoking. Granulomatous inflammation is a distinguished pattern of chronic inflammation most notably characterized by its focal accumulations of triggered macrophages, which often assume an epithelial-like appearance. It is only activated in a limited number of infectious and some noninfectious diseases. The lymphatic system along with the lymph nodes filters and mediates the extravascular fluids. Along with the phagocyte system, the lymphatic system represents a secondary or backup defense mechanism that is activated whenever a local inflammatory reaction fails to terminate or neutralize an invading cell.

Internet Essay - Online Anonymity and Cyberspace Crime -- Exploratory

Online Anonymity and Cyberspace Crime The 90's internet boom gave rise to new ways of writing in through access to cyberspace. What used to be printed or handwritten on physical surfaces such as paper, cardboard, or bulletin boards has changed to 0's and 1's, bits and bytes of digitized information that can be displayed thru the projections of computer screens. Moreover, the internet has made the process of publishing one's works, writing letters, or chatting with one another much easier and convenient for everyone around the globe. The internet became a universal tool, giving much freedom and flexibility to the users; it gave them opportunity to deliver their thoughts with little or no restrictions. Since it's impossible to regulate all cyber-activities, internet users are often unrestricted by the normal laws or authorities that would set boundaries around the various online transactions. More importantly, the fact that a net user can take on different identities in cyberspace brings about several ethical and social is sues. These anonymous and unrestrictive characteristics of cyberspace often permite abusive users to easily involve themselves in serious cybercrimes such as cyberstalking, cyber-rape, and cyber-harassment through chatting services, emails, cyber communities, and other online communication. In the real world, most encounters in everyone's daily lives are anonymous ones. Chatting with a person beside you in a cafà © or talking to an assistant while shopping for a pair of pants- these are interactions between two unknown persons; however, these contacts do not affect our lives the way some of the anonymous interactions in the cyberspace does so. Chat rooms, net forums, and even the spam mails most people get u... ...sity. 10 Apr. 2004 . Diener, E., Fraser, S.C., Beaman, A. L. & Kelem, R. T. (1976). Effects of deindividuating variables on stealing by Halloween trick-or-treaters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 33:178- 183. Haley, Jacqueline. "Anonymity of Cyberstalkers: The Cyber-Watchdog's Tough Collar." Georgia State University College of Law May 2001. Kabay, M. E. "Anonymity and Pseudonymity in Cyberspace: Deindividuation, Incivility and Lawlessness Versus Freedom and Privacy." Conference of European Institute for Computer Anti-virus Research 8 Mar. 1998. Post, David G. "Knock Knock Who's There?" Information Week Megazine Dec. 1995. Rowland, Diane. "Anonymity, Privacy, and Cyberspace." 15th BILETA conference 14 Apr. 2000. Springer, Claudia. Electronic Eros: Bodies and Desire in the Postindustrial Age. Texas: University of Texas Press, 1996. Internet Essay - Online Anonymity and Cyberspace Crime -- Exploratory Online Anonymity and Cyberspace Crime The 90's internet boom gave rise to new ways of writing in through access to cyberspace. What used to be printed or handwritten on physical surfaces such as paper, cardboard, or bulletin boards has changed to 0's and 1's, bits and bytes of digitized information that can be displayed thru the projections of computer screens. Moreover, the internet has made the process of publishing one's works, writing letters, or chatting with one another much easier and convenient for everyone around the globe. The internet became a universal tool, giving much freedom and flexibility to the users; it gave them opportunity to deliver their thoughts with little or no restrictions. Since it's impossible to regulate all cyber-activities, internet users are often unrestricted by the normal laws or authorities that would set boundaries around the various online transactions. More importantly, the fact that a net user can take on different identities in cyberspace brings about several ethical and social is sues. These anonymous and unrestrictive characteristics of cyberspace often permite abusive users to easily involve themselves in serious cybercrimes such as cyberstalking, cyber-rape, and cyber-harassment through chatting services, emails, cyber communities, and other online communication. In the real world, most encounters in everyone's daily lives are anonymous ones. Chatting with a person beside you in a cafà © or talking to an assistant while shopping for a pair of pants- these are interactions between two unknown persons; however, these contacts do not affect our lives the way some of the anonymous interactions in the cyberspace does so. Chat rooms, net forums, and even the spam mails most people get u... ...sity. 10 Apr. 2004 . Diener, E., Fraser, S.C., Beaman, A. L. & Kelem, R. T. (1976). Effects of deindividuating variables on stealing by Halloween trick-or-treaters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 33:178- 183. Haley, Jacqueline. "Anonymity of Cyberstalkers: The Cyber-Watchdog's Tough Collar." Georgia State University College of Law May 2001. Kabay, M. E. "Anonymity and Pseudonymity in Cyberspace: Deindividuation, Incivility and Lawlessness Versus Freedom and Privacy." Conference of European Institute for Computer Anti-virus Research 8 Mar. 1998. Post, David G. "Knock Knock Who's There?" Information Week Megazine Dec. 1995. Rowland, Diane. "Anonymity, Privacy, and Cyberspace." 15th BILETA conference 14 Apr. 2000. Springer, Claudia. Electronic Eros: Bodies and Desire in the Postindustrial Age. Texas: University of Texas Press, 1996.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Versus Unipolar Depress

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Versus Unipolar Depression Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder, but unfortunately our collective knowledge of this mental illness is not extensive. Unlike depression, where patients are strictly sullen and deeply blue, the bipolar patient experiences that same depression only flanked by extreme highs—a hyperactivity and increase in serotonin. It is this inconsistency in mood—a clinical mood swinging, that makes bipolar disorder so difficult to diagnose. Difficulty, as will be discussed in the paper, comes from patients inability to recognize these highs as potentially troublesome, and instead opt to focus only on the depressed moods that follow. Conventional thought, after all, is not to worry or see a doctor should one suddenly have increased energy and enthusiasm. The result is a overwhelming understanding of other illnesses, but significantly less of bipolar, especially of these highs, or hypomanic episodes patients feel. This paper will first discuss bipolar disorder, its symptoms a nd prognosis. The errors in diagnosing bipolar disorder and how this leads to confusion surrounding treatments will also be discussed. An investigation in to the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder will reveal a strong inconsistency in treatment stemming from lack of conclusive knowledge about the disorder. While many doctors suggest antidepressant use, while others will utilize lithium, and mood stabilizers, and in fact this range of treatments is in fact responsible for the lack of holistic understanding of the disorder as a chemo-physiological disease, but also as a separate entity from traditional, or what is often referred to as unipolar depression. According to the Americ... ... 11-20 Nemeroff CB, Evans DL et. al. (2001). Double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of imipramine and paroxetine in the treatment of bipolar depression. American Journal of Psychiatry 158(6), 906-912 Post RM, Altshuler LL, Frye MA et al. (2001). Rate of switch in bipolar patients prospectively treated with second-generation antidepressants as augmentation to mood stabilizers. Bipolar Disorders, 3(5), 259-265. Post RM and Denicoff KD. (2003). Morbidity in 258 bipolar outpatients followed for 1 year with daily prospective ratings on the NIMH life chart method. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 64, 680-690 Rihmer Z. and Pestality P. (1999). Psychiatric Clinician of North America, 22, 667-673. Silverstone T (2001). Moclobemide vs. imipramine in bipolar depression: a multicentre double-blind clinical trial. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 104(2), 104-109.

Facial characteristics Essay

Presently, first and initial impressions had been based chiefly on facial appearance. This brought about social stereotyping. Facial characteristics with great emphasis on dental characteristics frequently turn out to be a most important dilemma in life adjustment (Profitt, 2000). Children were brought to orthodontic treatments by their parents for the purpose that the child’s facial manifestations will be within normal range. Adults also seek orthodontic treatments because of the same reason (Profitt, 2000). I was just amazed that Student A mentioned removal of 4 premolars which is a common practice to obtain perfect teeth alignment. It also mentioned patients not being concerned of how they would appear as long as their teeth will look great and lined up greatly. Although Student A emphasized that as much as possible removal of these premolars were avoided in his practice as studies nowadays revealed that this can make the patient look older since it causes a sunken face appearance, I doubt that patients will ever go for this procedure. Facial appearance is being criticized mainly on soft tissue contours. The alignment of the maxillary incisors as well as its association with the teeth, the lips, nose, and chin are crucial in having an enormous good looking appearance. With regards to the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs), I think this procedure should be more practiced by dental surgeons. The procedure is easily carried out not to mention being a painless method. As long as there is no screw application to the oral and maxillary bony tissues, this procedure is deemed to have a good result. A minute stress value was found as well as a small percentage risk of lesions of the anatomical structures when screws were used to the bony tissues (Biotech Week, 2009).a

Robin Hood Case Study Discussion

1. Describe how Robin Hood developed his initial strategy for competing with the sheriff of Nottingham and discuss how he implemented it. Critique this approach. The original problem definition of high taxation that faced the people gave way for a new market which was stormed by Robin Hood. Seemingly an unlawful act, his mission was to â€Å"steal from the rich, and give to the poor†. As he entered the market, he was faced with rivalry of the prince and the sheriff. Robin Hood and his band of Merry men stole from the rich and gave to the poor which is in actuality is entirely opposite to the actions of his rivals.As Robin Hood entered the existing niche market he gained popularity and support amongst the common folk as he was supplying a unique good/service. He provides a free service to the poor after his operating expenses are accounted for. Also, the people had a preference for his product and tactics were not easily matched or copied by the competition. By obtaining this s upport, this strategy was to his advantage against Prince John and the sheriff. The opinion of numerous common folk would have persuaded Prince John to change the law of unfair taxation.Robin quickly realized that there was little he could do himself; which led to development of the organization by stimulating human resources. He sought close allies who would follow his vision of vengeance for the sheriff and the prince. These men would act as direct subordinates, however as time progress, admittance was allowed with less scrutiny whereby the only determining factor was loyalty. He believed strength lay in numbers. Robin implemented his strategy of ‘strength in numbers’ by seeking discipline from his band of men which ensured unity in the organization.This was achieved through a specific department within the organizational hierarchy. As a result they became more powerful in their battle against the sheriff. This forced the Merry Men to live outside the law which was al so desired to gain sufficient discipline in the group. This organization was fairly simple. Critique By acquiring a large extent of subordinates, Robin obtained a work force that is not necessarily trained as he allowed any to join who asked few questions. In doing so, extra man-hours would have to be spent in training.Also if prescreening of the new entrants existed, the idea of using the entrants with existing skills can give way for a more efficient organization. I. e. farmers would have been used not for war but for food. As the largest internal dilemma faced the band was an increased group size infrastructure, supplies and other physical resources would quickly diminish. Thus cutting cost should be priority, thus tradeoffs can be made by employing skilled workers for defined job. E. g. famers and hunters With the ideal of improper interview, his organization could be easily infiltrated by his competitors thus relieving their plan and strategies. . Identify organizational charac teristics and environment characteristics that would lead you to think robin hood is wise to considering a change in strategy as he enters his campaign second year? Robin’s organization could be seen as one of a hierarchy, he is the highest person in the organization which can put him in roles such as C. E. O. or chairman. His responsibility is to delegate specific task to his lieutenants, each has their own functions which contributes to the success of the merry men as a unit.For example Will Scarlett was assigned the important task of shadowing the sheriff and notifying the merry men of the sheriff next move. Figure 1: Robin's Organizational Hierarchy The motivation of the band was vital to keeping them interested in the purpose of the vendetta. Motivation theory seeks to explain all kinds of motivated behavior in different situations, including behavior in the organizations. Since the majority of behavior is sense motivated, individuals are greatly influenced by their envi ronment.Maslow’s theory of human motivation, all people have a need or desire for self respect, self esteem, and respect from others. This directly applies to the Merry Men, for they sought respect and were proud of their famous motto â€Å"Rob from the rich and give to the poor†. The resourced based model was important in the success of the group; five factors were looked at which the band demonstrated resources, capability, competitive advantage, attractive industry, strategy formulation and implementation. The resource of the group came from the merchants that travel through the forest, initially the resource was always available but t was quickly becoming sparse as merchants was choosing a different route. The men were properly trained to plan their robbery and skillful in their archery, however, the influxes of new recruits were beginning to strain the reserves of the group as training and food was costly. Robin and the merry men had the support from their custome rs which were the peasants and farmers but now as income was low and the maintenance cost was high they would have to tax the very people which they helped meaning that the peasants and farmers could turn on them and add to their troubles.Understanding the resource base of the group I could see why a change in strategy was wise. Figure 2: Resourced Based Model Robin and his organization were in crisis due to lack of a proper corporate strategy. The merry men were growing, with large number of new recruits but the organic structure is not cohesive. Communication and discipline is being broken down, table 3 below shows some options robin could use and their SWOT analysis. | Opportunities | Threats | Strengths| SO Strategies: Kill the Sheriff * Wipe him out, no more problems * Has the men to do it When the sheriff is gone, disband. ST Strategies: Join the barons * Has the fighting force * Get access to capital markets * Maybe ends the conflict quicker| Weakness | WO Strategies: Limit s ize of band * Turn the fighting band into a group of elites * Maintains discipline * Solves food issues * Basically, curtail growth| WT Strategies: Disband * Give up the cause, return to normal life * Robin flees to another country to escape punishment| Figure 3: SWOT Matrix Problems Robin and his organization faced: * Lack of discipline Maintenance cost * Shelter/space shortage * Food shortage * training * security and vigilance (whoever wanted to join was taken in and there could be traitors and spies) These problems need to be address if the band is to have any chance against the sheriff and prince John. 3. Assume that Robin Hood has asked you to help him devise a new strategy. Identify a set of factors for him to consider in revising strategy. It was evident from the story that Robin Hood needed to change his approach owing to both internal and external factors.An uncontrolled workforce along with unsuitable supplier location led to the brink of economic viability. Changing the overall goal of his organization to fixed transit taxation would decrease his competitive advantage over the Sheriff. As a result the cost of amenities which Mr. Hood provided to the common folk would increase. If he chooses this path he would lose his loyal supporters which kept him in control of the monopolized market. The farmers and townspeople would then favor Prince John’s governance and rely on his pity for commodities.In the event of this situation Robin Hood’s main foe, The Sheriff would become stronger in light of his political connection with the prince. Although his work force was constantly growing, its productivity was diminutive. He claimed that he was not familiar with a large population of his organization. It would be in Robin’s best interest to restructure his work force. He would gain an advantage by decentralizing the team into several self sustaining units; each unit consisting of team manager, lieutenants and miscellaneous subordinates.Aki n to a franchised organization, each team unit would be operating under the Robin Hood brand name, have the same goal as Robin, and operate within the limits of Robin. This structure would be less demanding to co-ordinate and allow him to devise alternate strategies. Since Robin also had a problem with a definitive Sherwood Forest location, this structure would also aid his disguise from his suppliers, the rich merchant travelers and the Sheriff. It is an imprudent choice for Robin to divert from his core competency and profound skill of banditry.The change in profession may lead to a lack of enthusiasm which would reflect poorly through the eyes of his followers and his brand name. References: Analyzing Strategic Management Cases http://www. pdftop. com/view/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hdWJ1cm4uZWR1LyU3RWNiZjAwMDIvZmlsZXMvQ2FzZSUyMEFuYWx5c2lzLnBwdA== Date Accessed: 02nd February 2011 The Business Operations of Robin Hood and the Merry men Author: Sumeet Malhotra http://www. scribd. com/doc/1362 7015/Robin-Hood-Case-Study Date updated: 2010 Date Accessed: 05th February 2011 ROBIN HOOD a Case StudyAuthor: Misti Walker http://www. scribd. com/doc/21176061/Robin-Hood-Case-Study Date updated: 05th September 2009 Date Accessed: 05th February 2011 Case Study 24 Robin Hood Book Winning In The Market Place Second Edition http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Case-Study-24-Robin-Hood-Book/178732 Date update: 2011 Date Accessed: 07th February 2011 Robin Hood Case Analysis Author: Aaron labin, Curt Matthews, Rich Miller http://www. scribd. com/doc/37469551/Robin-Hood-Final Date updated: 14th April 2009 Date Accessed: 07th February 2011