A Piece of Peace Essay Example for Free

A Piece of Peace Essay The terrorist attacks on September 11th affected more than just the lives of those in people who were the direct victims of the attacks. An entire nation was victimized and the whole nation grieved for those who suffered in New York City. As the attacks occurred I sat in my high school English class and while the teacher taught I day dreamed. It was a typical Tuesday morning and to be truthful I did not ever hear her the first time she explained the tragic events that had taken place just moments ago. I heard the word â€Å"terrorists† and the fragments of statements like â€Å"hundreds died this morning when†. Then, I could only hear my heart beat in my ears. I watched my teacher turn on the TV. She flipped through several stations. I dont remember what I saw but I can remember what I heard. It was the sound of people crying. Over the next few months, as a nation, we followed the story as did the world. I can remember President Bush attempting to comfort the United States and telling us America would be going to war for reasons that werent clear to me then and certainly arent clear to me now. Somewhere between the night of September 10th, when I was plotting how I was going to avoid school the next morning and the night of September 11th, I grew up. When I look back on that time in my life I am left with a single haunting thought It is the pursuit of peace which leads to destruction. Even today, years after the terrorist attacks, people still talk about how that day changed everything. I agree, in some ways. It changed me and I became something new. It changed my family. It changed how American view other Americans and how we view the rest of the world. Americans have since the birth of the nation believed that their way was the best way. Americans were shocked to find out that people hated them enough to want to kill them. September 11th forced Americas to reflect on the military, social, and political actions of America and how they effected people of other countries. Perhaps Americans are not always in the right. For example, President Bush I gave weapons to the Afghan people to win a war against Russia. When the Afghan people defeated the Russian, Afghanistan was completely destroy. American promised them they will help rebuild but they did not. That is why the terrorist were able to come into the country and making a terrorist breeding ground. I dont think that September 11th effects the way Americans conduct their lives daily. People who say it does are feeling the pressure of guilt. Society says we must not forget, and as Americans say we wont. As a nation the citizens learned that there is a fine line between terrorist and freedom fighter- we are just afraid to admit it and seem unamerican. Those men who ran planes into building, killed Americans and killed themselves wanted only one thing peace. They wanted freedom from the western world and choose to die. Just as we wanted independence from England centuries ago. In looking for peace they destroyed lives, families, and shook the protected ground the United States sat on. It made the country stronger but not smarter. I am anxious over the global discord and the cultural ignorance that seems to grow between the United States and the rest of the world. The problems in Iraq foretell and may spark future clashes with a number of civilizations in the future. Just recently I drove home from work and I flipped through different radio stations. I caught the end of Bob Dylans â€Å"The Times They Are A-Changing†. Its funny because that is my moms favorite song and I had forgotten it existed. I still can hear her sing, â€Å"Come gather round people Wherever you roam / And admit that the waters Around you have grown /For the times they are a-changin†, while she tinkered around in the kitchen way before anyone else got up. I dont know that I ever really listened to the words before. Dylan knew and my mom knew things I was just beginning to. Dylan and my mom knew â€Å"theres a battle outside And it is ragin† and September 11th did shake our â€Å"windows† and rattled our â€Å"walls†. As a nation its citizens have no right to â€Å"criticize What we [you] cant understand† and our â€Å" sons and [y]our daughters Are beyond our [your] command† (Dylan). Our soldiers fight a war for reasons no one really knows for America that would rather criticize them then help in country that does not seem to want peace. Dylan sings about the injustice in war and that we should not be afraid to speak our minds: Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance wont come again And dont speak too soon For the wheels still in spin And theres no tellin who That its namin. For the loser now Will be later to win For the times they are a-changin. (Dylan) Bush wants peace but for his own reasons and through those reasons American soldiers are dying, and so are the Iraqi people. It is ironic that while those terrorists die nobly but ur soldiers die in such a cruel way. McKay writes in his poem, â€Å"If We Must Die,† that people should not die for nothing or by doing nothing. That death is inevitable, especially in war, but all people must fight for the things we want in this world and hold on to life and liberty as long as we can: O kinsmen we must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men well face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! (Claude McKay) In the summer of 2001 I was lying in my hammock and I could see a butterfly in my backyard. I remember as a child learning that caterpillars itch and go into cocoons to find peace from that. Change in a way is a form of destruction. To be able to be someone new people have to give up their old selves and move past who they used to bee. When a child develops into an adult, he must give up his toys, his childhood beliefs like believing in Santa Claus. His childhood fantasies must be destroyed if he is to move on. In the years that followed September 11th I could feel myself â€Å"adapt to my new surroundings† (White Line 2). White, through the use of nature explores the scary nature of change: I have to shed my skin again Adapt to my new surroundings become another version of myself. The change within me does not happen overnight but through the evolution of my life (White) I was filled with Americans sense of patriotism and unity. The new American was like â€Å"the first fish that grew tiny legs† (White Line 8). Christine Whites poem, â€Å"Molting† reminded me that it was not just me that grew up, the United States did too. Whites point of view is that change is not a bad thing and is inevitable. Nearly every person around the country joined together as one united entity to pay tribute and homage to all the fallen heroes. There was a sense of harmony and peace. In way I think America, even those the terrorist attacks were tragic, knew that such an event was needed if we were going to â€Å"shed our [my] skin† (White Line 1) and become a stronger nation. As time goes by and my bad memories fade I remember America in its full glory. Watching the cumulative effect of humanity shining through the fire and smoke. I remember how many people spoke about the importance of peace and understanding. I wonder if there can be peace if Americans are divide both support and protest our soldiers in Iraq. The war over there caused a war here between Americans. It is the protesters protest protesters on both sides of the issues – each wanting peace in their own way. People who do not want our soldiers fighting in Iraq believe that they would be peace if America stopped butting into everyones business. People who are for the war in Iraq believe peace will only come after the destruction of all terrorists. In the end these protesters (on both sides) are destroying the morale and lives of people fighting in the Iraq war and are disgracing the memories of those that died. The price of peace is extremely high especially because Americans do not know if we can ever have it. I do know that â€Å"The line it is drawn The curse it is cast / The slow one now Will later be fast / As the present now Will later be past† (Dylan). I do know that America must hold her ground against the terrorists. Americans will not be tyrannized and forced to live like cowards. Even when we face â€Å"the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! † (McKay Line 14). The American fight for freedom and peace has also managed to destroy our economy. Oil prices increased, the value of the American dollar decreased, and the stock market bottomed out. When Clinton was President the stock market was well over 10,000 after 9/11 it drop well under 8000. President Bush spent the Clinton Surplus on military, and it is just now in 2006 that the stock has become stabilized. I think that our economy will emerge from this disaster and become strong once again like it was before the attacks. In the pursuit of peace and destruction, people in Americans have finally understood their place in society and were back â€Å"in the sun† (White Line 10). Not as a not as a bystanders but an active and willing participants. Americans realize that there needs to be a great deal of change and those changes have started. American citizens encourage our â€Å"senators, congressmen Please heed the call / Dont stand in the doorway Dont block up the hall† (Dylan). And governmental officials are making changes. I think our nation needs to help a new generation of people realize that aftermath of that day when humans lives were lost and Americas unique humanity and independence was demonstrated. This generations hearts were opened and turned around in the wake of airplane crashes. On September 11, 2001 many people lost their lives because men were seeking their own personal peace. Daily our soldiers are destroyed one by one for the goal of peace. The American economy struggles because of the war for peace against terrorism. Americans fight Americans over whether we should be in Iraq or not which tears apart soldiers pride. Before that Tuesday in September, I never thought about life and death. I never considered the consequences of war and the denial of freedoms. Now that I am older, I realize that September 11, 2001 was not just pivotal point for me but America itself. Not since Pearl Harbor had the United States been unexpectedly attacked on its own land. Just as families pulled together so did the United States as a whole. As a nation we cried together and we healed together. To actually witness the attacks was life changing but to be part of the healing process was life affirming.

Advantages Of The Recycling Process

Advantages Of The Recycling Process As the word recycling denotes to, it involves a process in which used materials are processed chemically or by a scientific processes or organically into new products for further use, which comes as the useful material out of the waste. There are many kinds of recycling process being initiated, be it paper recycling, plastic recycling, garbage recycling, to name a few among the common features of recycling process involved. The need that arises to recycle used material and products, be it plastics, garbages etc is significant in a sense given that environmental concerns and the impact of used material to be precise has had a detrimental effect on the environment. Environmentalists are very much in favor of the recycling concepts, given that it adds ups to the environmental cause and the benefits are tremendous. There are many advantages of the recycling process involved for material or any matter thereof. The significance and importance of recycling process also cannot just be sided apart and brushed inside the carpet. Many prominent personalities and global leader are also very much in favor of recycling concepts and measures initiated in that regard. To top it all, with scientific and technological advancement, the process of recycling also have been made easier and convenient enough to derive the best out of every measured undertaken and in a sense to produce fresh material out of the material already in use. The cost involved also is lesser with long term benefits; ecologically that is initiated through sustainable measures. Purpose and Issue The subject matter in generic when it concern to recycling is a huge avenue to explore upon, literally. There are bundles of materials and coverage that defines the many faces of recycling process, its advantages, disadvantages, significance and all in between the feature that stand aloof from the ordinary. What is particular to recycling can be analyzed from different lenses. Generally, recycling has a greater impact today than ever before. The subject matter of its discussion and pointer for arguments also is a heated topic, either in the academic, political and environmental groups and their circles. Emphasizing in respect of the subject matter in discussion, it should be clarified herein that the purpose of this report is to define the many aspects of recycling in general and what makes it so important and significant in the contemporary world today. Issue that is interrelated to the subject matter also can be analyzed from an objective perspective. Take for instance the concern being raised for garbage and waste disposal that are generated and garbage management process involved that harms the environment and its surrounding. In another instance, question that also arises can be bracketed towards material and products that are being used haphazardly and disposed off unnecessarily. Yet there is every purpose to be identified that may be significant to counterview the essence of recycling, and everything involved in it. In that capacity and in context of recycling in general, the question and purpose of this report is to define and extrapolate the following questions in general as can be summarized below:- What defines the nature and significance of recycling in general? How can recycling be achieved for its designated purpose and benefits to be generated in that regard? Does the question of recycling in general readily register with the public domains? If that is the case then how, and why not if it is otherwise? Does recycling takes shapes only from the environmental concern being raised in the materialistic world that we live in? Above all, what are the features in substance involving recycling? How are recycling process achieved, and what are the different aspects of recycling? In general, and in particular to this question, recycling can be of many different types. Take for instance paper recycling, plastic recycling, e-material waste recycling to name a few among its class, which involves different tactics and scientific process involved to achieve the desired goals of recycling as a measure for environmental benefits. Considering these question in general, it should be clarified that this report attempts to extrapolate the many aspects of recycling process in general in consideration of the above-mentioned question, which is discussed as follows. Defining the Nature and Significance of Recycling Looking back as to where recycling and its concepts originated is hard to trace and is based on speculation, although people have been recycling material and products one or the other way since longtime back. And the concept of recycling is not a new altogether. But its impact and that which register readily with the public is felt with greater force in the contemporary context. To start with in this regard specific to this part of the discussion, experts and scholars are of the opinion that nature possesses a tremendous capacity to recycle several categories of waste by biodegradation aided by decomposer organism on earth. (Rajiv K. Sinha, 2008, p. 43) This is true in a sense, given that recycling process at best can be aided by the process of biodegradation. Yet there are certain things that biodegradations at times make it hard to reach the salient objective of recycling processes, that also for certain material and products and that which calls for technology and scientific advancement. Nonetheless, with scientific and technological advancements today, recycling process can be aided and facilitated accordingly in reaping the results that has a greater impact to make a change and stabilize the negative effects of waste materials that are generated daily in huge capacity by people across the globe and their activities. Going back to the nature of recycling, it should be looked into the encompassing facts that several municipal and as well as solid industrial waste have the potential to be recycled, where the call of the time is for appropriate technology. The good news although is that new technique are being maximized considerably to make the recycling process worth enough in recovering materials that maybe useful for further use after processing, rather than going to the landfill. (Rajiv K. Sinha, 2008, p. 43) In this respect, we can reason that recycling process has a greater significance than ever before. As a matter of fact, people around the globe today also are harnessing the best out of what technology has to offer and making the best use of it to recycle waste products and garbages into some useful materials as byproducts. Moreover, a point to consider again when it matter to recycling concepts in general is that its impact and awareness is being felt greatly in the current scenario. Add to it, the good news is that the growth for market for many classes of recycling material is due in part due to policy incentives, but also to more general conditions. (OECD, 2006, p. 11) Questions being raised by policy makers and environmentalist alike when it concerns the environment also counter point the salient instance for recycling and its initiative. The need to facilitate a habitual cause showered a way as well to be precise, where recycling and its processes is the call of the hour as an urgent measure to keep the environment in check from distracting elements. In context of the above notion and its arguments, what we can reason again is the fact that many cases and causes of recycling and its development process take roots under instances and measures initiated by public authority for a solution that seeks and attempts to reach a conclusion that is beneficial, (OECD, 2006, p. 11) for the environment, the society and feeding the ever increasing needs of the materialistic society that we live in today. To conclude in this regard, attending to the need of the society for material and products can be reasoned again to be good enough to be reached through recycling process, where waste materials are processed as byproducts, either be it for paper, e-waste, garbages etc through measures wherein recycling assist and further expands the very notion of ecological measures and sustainable development process in the contemporary society today. Environmental Concerns and the many face of Recycling In each and every instance when it matter to the subject matter arguments, environmental concerns and its features have always make a mark to claims a place of contention in between to derive astonishing discussion in the society. Measure initiated accordingly and in respect to derive best available solutions towards the hazard of waste material is also one pointer to put into force for a constructive solution through recycling processes. In respect of the abovementioned pointer, the need for recycling also can be looked again not only to the environmental concerns alone, but also towards public health and safety in regard. The best example in that capacity also can be emphasized and measured in contention towards industrial waste such as chemicals and their source activity that posit greater hazards (DIANEPublishingCompany, 1996, p. 33) to the environment as well to the society and public health in the forms of insecticides, herbicides, chemical paints, waste and harmful construction materials, waste oils, which carry within them a residue that is harmful and can impact the environment negatively in many ways. (DIANEPublishingCompany, 1996, p. 33) Hence, concerns being raised are not unnecessarily. The objective to define the features of recycling also can be put into force the practicality of the process involved overall in seeking a solution that is effective ad has greater benefits for the society today. What have been the crucial development that brought about the necessary measures in context of recycling processes are the features that relates towards waste material management itself and the concern being raised and options available in that regard. There is every point to note the fact from an ecological perspective, wherein the concerns have been over the effect of human actions on the environment, (Robert V. Percival, 1997, p. 3) which is a matter of fact. Increasing human activities in the societies have brought about many changes that have impacted the environment drastically. Moreover, waste that are generated daily that amount to millions of tons are finding it hard to find a landfill. The sad state is that the materialistic world that we live in further makes the issue of waste and its generation worse in a sense. Its something that goes like the adage something lost in translation. Yet solutions are there, but with least effect given the development stages and ever increasing wants of humans. Considering these crucial aspects and the critical issue of waste and its environmental impact, the questions that can be been raised again as a matter of fact is where to put up all the waste material generated daily apart from the recycling process for certain waste materials. The hard fact is that people and the society today have found themselves in situations where it reached a stage of declining of landfills, wherein the features of it reflect many factors in context of recycling as a necessary measure to be undertaken. To top it all, the fact that is relevant also can be emphasized again to the question and its arguments being raised to many aspects of waste material and garbages landfills that have been closed as they pose unacceptable environmental risks related to locations, designs, operations and most importantly because such landfills have filled up, (Richard A. Denison, 1990, p. 4) where a solution to such concern and problems are being initiated in context of recycling waste and other materials for a solution that also facilitate an environmental cause. Yet the development process in that regard is heading in a snail pace, despite the many measure being taken towards environmental concerns and the need for recycling for a lasting and relevant solution. An Exemplification of Recycling Types and their Benefits In general and looking at the concerns being raised towards waste material, we are of the opinion that there are many forms and formats of recycling processes and their types to differentiate upon. Take for example recycling process initiated toward paper, plastic, e-waste, metals and glasses and the environmental benefits that can be derived to be precise in each one of it. Plastic as we know of are one of the many hazards thats posits harmful and negative ecological impact. Take for example the fact that it would be hard to imagine a modern society today without plastic, given that plastic have found itself a place in myriad uses in fields as diverse as home appliances, construction, medicines, and packaging, (Goodship, 2007, p. 5) to name a few of its many uses that human cannot do away with or without. Hence the effect of its waste on the environment is also greater, and posits many risks and health concerns. As a matter of fact, the benefits from recycled plastic to be precise are tremendous. Generally, plastic are made from crude oil, hence recycling of plastic waste material further assist in conserving the natural resource in the form of crude oil, (Goodship, 2007, p. 5) feels experts. Looking back to this notion and reflecting the measure being initiated, we are of the opinion that the need for appropriate technology always make a mark to claim a place in instances as detailed above, given that several municipal and industrial waste has the potential to be recycled and processed for further use, and in that respect the need of the hour is appropriate technology for recycling, each one the suits specific purpose. (Rajiv K. Sinha, 2008, p. 43) To cite an example again when it concern to recycling; especially paper recycling, we are of the opinion that paper recycling and the benefits of it can be measured in great many ways, given that out of new paper, hard cardboard, and other high grade paper that are recycled, by products can be generated in the form of new material that are recovered by the application of available technology for use again in the most effective way. (Rajiv K. Sinha, 2008, p. 44) Besides, out of paper recycling to be precise and the endeavor made and facilitated in that regard as well, many environmental causes can be kept at check or minimize the same in the most effective ways. The means to look for new paper also does not arise, if cases such as recycling of paper make readily available material for use that can be generated through recycling process. Conclusion What we can finally conclude is that technology, scientific, biological and chemical process comes as the best measure to be reached for each particular recycling measures initiated towards waste materials for a benefit outcomes. Going back and reflecting towards recycling altogether, and reaching a conclusion from an economic perspective, there is reason enough to reflect and to emphasized with the fact that recycling process of any given waste materials has value additions, given that waste has a negative economic and environmental value, and also add up as a big techno-economic problem for the society. (Rajiv K. Sinha, 2008, p. 41) Yet a point to note and the hard fact is that recycling and awareness measure initiated in that regard is good instance considering the issue at stake in aiding and furthering the essence and quality of life in the society for a sustainable solutions.

Personal Identity and Its Effect on Pre-procedural Anxiety

Personal Identity and Its Effect on Pre-procedural Anxiety 1.0 Introduction In contemporary healthcare systems, one of the key ways of diagnosing and treating medical conditions is through invasive and minimally invasive procedures on patients. Some of these procedures are accessing the intravenuous system for treatment (venipunctures), blood collection for investigations (phlebotomy), lumbar punctures and biopsies. Regardless of age, sex or ethnicity, patients endure anxiety and pain associated with these invasive procedures (American Pain Society, 2001). In spite of minimal tissue damage in these procedures, anxiety about the procedure and associated pain, may cause considerable distress in patients. This may affect the coping mechanism, even in a well functioning individual. This has been studied by McCleane and Cooper (1990), Augustin and Haynes (1996) and Garbee (2000). A number of researches have been conducted to determine and control anxiety in patients who are subjected to such procedures. Based on these studies, patient education programs (McDonald and Green, 2002), alternative therapies (Noreed, 2000), pharmaceutical therapies (Smith and Pittaway, 2002) and musical therapies (Elliot, 2004) have been proposed to a varying extent. An important point to note is that musical therapies, education programs and patient educational programs may be time-consuming and may be of limited practicality in a busy hospital environment. On the other hand, pharmaceutical therapies may cause side-effects associated with drugs. Therefore, a simplistic approach, which could provide comfort and relieve the pre-procedural anxiety, is the need of this surgical era. No research has been found on invoking personal identity and its effect on pre-procedural anxiety. Therefore, this research aims to fulfill this gap. Hospitals and health care institutions are unpleasant environments with a general appearance of illness and death. It is an environment where one is separated by friends and family and is surrounded by strangers. A person who is being subjected to a procedure at a hospital may already contemplate on the potential illness that the person may be subjected to. This may lead to a temporary feeling of anxiety (Coyle, 1999). According to Spielberger et al (1970) anxiety is divided into two factors, state anxiety (also known as somatic anxiety) and trait anxiety. State anxiety is temporary or circumstantial arousal and trait anxiety is the permanent change of personality characteristics associated with anxiety. According to Kent (1998), state anxiety may cause physiological arousal, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. This is characterized by increased pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and increase cardiac output (Bally et al, 2003). Research by Hayes et al (2003), asserts that reducing the state anxiety is important before a diagnostic procedure to promote relaxation and to prevent possible complications; such as procedure becoming more painful, difficult, prolonged and increased probability of after effects. When a procedure becomes difficult to administer, doctors may also postpone or cancel the procedure, placing the patient at a dis advantage. Addressing patients’ emotions through an evidence-based management is important for nurses to increase the patient outcome. Psychosocial nursing interventions, emotional presence and establishment of trust between the nurses and the patient, has the potential to mitigate patient’s fear and anxiety or stress to a greater level. 1.1 Pain and Anxiety Associated with Invasive Procedures Studies have concluded that pain associated with a procedure may be severe than that actual illness that needs investigation (Finley and Scheter, 2003). The procedure itself may have an effect on the pain that is experienced by the patient, which is based on the patient’s perception, which in turn, can be influenced by factors including past experience, psychological state, hearsay knowledge and the patient’s level of understanding (Rawe et. al., 2009). According to Brennan, Carr and Cousins (2007), effects of pain can be short and long-term, which are not gender, age or ethnicity-specific. A number of studies have confirmed the psychological effects of pain, which include anxiety, anger and fear as well as physical effects, such as changes in metabolic functions, heart functions and functions related to blood (Ferrell, 2005; Gordon et al., 2005; Mertin, et.al., 2007). Most common long-term effects of pain are, insomnia and depression (Berenholtz, et. al., 2002). Several studies have noted that there is a positive relationship between anxiety and pain, in a clinical setting (Sternbach, 1968; Melzack, 1973). According to Kain et. al. (2001), severity levels of pain are directly proportionate to anxiety levels due to activities in the hippocampal network, which causes behavioural conflict in the brain. This is resolved by sending and amplification signal to the neural representation of the painful event, which causes anxiety in the pe rson. This was verified by Ploghaus et. al. (2001) using a series of event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) studies, which concluded that anxiety-induced hyperalgesia is associated with activation in the entorhinal cortex of the hippocampal formation. Van den Broek, Hejimans and Van Assen (2012) focused on the emotional distress caused by the procedure of implanting a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), an invasive procedure, in 343 patients.. All subjects demonstrated distress through anxiety and depression immediately after the procedure as well as during follow-up timelines. 1.2 Psychological Techniques used to Reduce Pre-procedural Anxiety Healthcare personnel have discovered a number of methods to reduce anxiety of patients through psychological intervention techniques. One of the methods employed by clinical nurses is through therapeutic touch. Cox and Hayes (1997) performed a quasi-experimental study based on patients at a district General Hospital in East London, which concluded that therapeutic touch aids in reducing anxiety of the patients. Another method which has been researched is, on the effect of music as an intervention for reducing the pre-procedural anxiety in hospitalized adult patients (Gillen, Billey Allen, 2008). This was performed through Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of 832 adult patients The researchers concluded that psychological outcomes show anxiety was reduced to a greater extent as a result of music listening interventions, demonstrated by reduction of blood pressure, respiration rate and heart rate. A study performed by Hawley (2009), explored nurse strategies which were perceived as comforting by patients. The sample size was 14 patients in the emergency department of a hospital in New York. The study concluded that positive talk, vigilance and attending to physical discomforts were among the top five factors that reduced anxiety. Hawley (2009) concluded that the study â€Å"supports the provision of comfort as an integral part of emergency nursing practice and a critical aspect of care.† A research with 580 mentally alert adults were selected for a study by Whelchel (2004) to identify the effect of caring behaviour by nurses on ED patients. At the end of the study and data analysis, the researchers reported that treating the patients like an individual, was considered to be the most important trait in reducing the anxiety of emergency room patients, followed by knowing what they were doing, being kind and considerate, treating the patient with respect, giving the patient their full attention, knowing how to administer injections and insert intravenous catheters. 1.3 Self Esteem and Anxiety From the beginnings of scientific psychology, the idea that people wish to maintain high levels of self-esteem has been a central theme in many studies (Horney, 1937; James, 1890). The idea of self-esteem generally means one’s own evaluation of him or herself. Self-esteem is also seen as a critical function for social and mental well-being of a person. Self-esteem induces and maintains personal goals and motivations and according to a study by Mann et. al. (2001), conclusive evidence exists that self-esteem leads to better mental health. Mann et.al. (2001) assert that a series of psychological problems, both internalizing and externalizing can be caused by poor self-esteem. The researchers conclude that self-esteem acts as a protective factor and is a core element in the promotion of mental health. Greenberg, Pyszczynski and Solomon (1986) argue that self-esteem provides a buffer against anxiety, focusing primarily on the fear of human beings towards mortality. Through empirical evidence, the researchers have concluded high-level of self-esteem reduces anxiety and behaviour that relates to anxiety. Three studies were conducted by Greenberg, et. al. (1992:1, 1992:2, 1993) to identify the direct evidence for the effect of self-esteem on anxiety. In the first study (Greenberg et. al., 1992:1), participants received positive and negative feedback about their personality, which was false. Then one group was shown a video which threatens of death, whereas the second group was shown a neutral video. The dependent variable in this study was state anxiety and the hypothesis was that bolstering self-esteem would reduce anxiety in response to the threat. The study concluded that participants with low self-esteem had the highest anxiety. A second study was partaken with participants being given bogus feedback on an intelligence test (Greenberg el. Al. , 1992:2). Following the feedback, participants were told that they would receive an electric shock or a neutral stimulation. The dependent variable was physiological arousal and the hypothesis was that the participants with bolstered self-esteem would experience reduced physiological arousal in anticipating electric shocks. The conclusion of the study was that neutral self-esteem-threat the participants having highest anxiety. A third study by Greenberg et. al. (1993) was with participants, who were provided with either positive or neutral feedback regarding their personality and a emotionality scale test, where the dependent variable was emotionality and the hypothesis was high self-esteem would reduce the participants’ anticipation of a short life-expectancy. The study concluded that participants with negative feedback information led to low self-esteem. Based on these studies, researchers Greenberg et. al. (1992:1, 1992:2, 1993) developed anxiety-buffer hypothesis which led to the conclusion that self-esteem provides protection against anxiety and one who has an increased self-esteem becomes less-prone to anxiety when exposed to threatening situations later. 1.4 Personal Identity and Name Personal Identity deals with oneself and issues that arise by the virtue of being an individual and it has its own attributes that make a person unique and different from the rest. Personal identity has its own properties, such as name, appearance, preferences which make a person unique. At present, an estimated 120 million babies are born on earth in a year (Deluzain, 1996). Sooner or later, they undergo the process of receiving a name. Names are part of all cultures and they are equally important to the person who receives the name as well as the society which the person lives in. The most important part of a person’s identity is the name. It is of important for the individual and the society as a whole. Inspite of its importance, not many people know or interested in knowing the effect of name on us and our children in this world although we are considered as the â€Å"consumers of names†. Researches show that one of the reasons for couples to have children is to perpetuate the family name (Arnold and Kuo, 1984; Callan and Kee, 1981; Ramu and Tavuchis, 1986). A research by Howard et. al. (1997) concluded that students felt proud when professors in their university remembered them by the name. A century ago, anthropologists identified that there has never been an ancient civilization, which did not allocate first names to people, in the recorded history. Many ancient cultures believed that not having a name is equivalent to not having an identity or honour (Frommer, 1982). At present, in most countries, parents are required to register the birth of a child through the child’s name. This is a legal requirement, which is the first time a child is given a legal identity. The birth certificate received by the parents becomes an essential document for admitting a child to school, obtaining healthcare and other basic services from the society. The existence of a name of a person is not only important to the person psychologically, but it is also of religious, social and legal importance because our identities are associated intuitively through the name. When one’s name is mispronounced, it may sound resentful to the person. Most people, especially when communicating with persons of different cultures, take extreme care to ensure the names are not mispronounced. Studies have revealed that mispronunciation of the name amounts to distortion of one’s identity (Deluzain, 1996). Freud identified the psychological effects of distortion of one’s name, deliberately or accidentally. According to Freud’s observations, people of aristocratic class, who wielded economic and political power tended to mispronounce their doctors’ names (Deluzain, 1996). The explanation for this was the aristocrats’ psychological need to show their superiority over the doctors, who wielded the power of one’s life and death. A similar event is seen in Shakespeare’s play, King John, where the character Philip Faulconbridge was found to be the illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart, which made him King John’s half-brother. In the aftermath, King John orders Philip Faulconbridge’s name to be changed to Richard Plantagenet and deliberately refers to Philip as Peter (Shakespeare, 1623). This is a clear example of how Shakespeare presented the idea that mis-representation of a person’s name amounts to mis-representation of the person. The psychological significance of names are so high, that two separate researches have concluded that people have a strong affiliation with letters of the alphabet in their own names than ones which are not in their names (Koole, Dijksterhuis, and van Knippenberg, 2001; Nuttin, 1985; Greenwald and Banaji, 1995). The research by Greenwald and Banaji (1995) concluded that people positively associate themselves with letters in their names, as they are considered to direct reflection of the person, although there doesn’t appear to be any pragmatic reason for this association. This positive association of one’s name and even the letters of the name with oneself has a general tendency to make a person feel good (Greenwald and Banaji, 1995; Hetts and Pelham, 2001). The connection between name and identity is also emphasized by research that portrays changing of one’s name leading to changing of one’s personal identity (Lawson, 1984; Kang, 1972). In certain villages in China, men are allocated an additional name based on the social transitions, such as marriage. On the contrary, women do not receive additional names, which imply that they never attain complete personhood (Watson, 1986). A research by Howard et. al. (1997) concluded that students felt proud when professors in their university remembered them by the name. A century ago, anthropologists identified that there has never been an ancient civilization, which did not allocate first names to people, in the recorded history. Many ancient cultures believed that not having a name is equivalent to not having an identity or honour (Frommer, 1982). 1.5 Self-Esteem and Personal Identity The idea that people strive to keep a high level of motivation maintain high-level of self-esteem is widely accepted and is considered as a postulate or an accepted fact. Theories suggest that behaviours such as aggression, love, deviance and even altruism are due to ultimate belief that humans wish to be seen as valuable (Heine et al, 1999). Studies have been done only recently to determine whether this is always true and whether it is universal (Baumeister, 1998; Heine et al, 1999). However, still, a significant majority of psychological theories consider the need of humans to maintain high-levels of self-esteem as a postulate. Coyle (1999), presented a concept called personal identity threat in healthcare settings which is one of the key concepts of patient dissatisfaction in healthcare. According to Coyle’s research, people who were generally unhappy with the overall healthcare experience they receive, is mainly due to them being treated as non-persons, which is also termed dehumanization. This study asserts that the person’s name has a significant effect on one’s own identity. According to Coyle’s research (1999), people who were generally unhappy with the overall healthcare experience they receive, is mainly due to them being treated as non-persons, which is also termed dehumanization. 40 out of 41 patients interviewed by Coyle stated that they were treated as, an ‘object’ and on deep exploration, Coyle identified that the patients were referred by numbers on a file (such as patient number 49) instead of the name, which gave the patient the notion of being dehuma nized. This study asserts that the person’s name has a significant effect on one’s own identity. The above studies indicate that self-esteem is connected with personal identity, where invoking personal identity increases one’s self-esteem. One of the most key attributes of personal identity of an individual is the name. A number of studies, particularly by Greenberg et. al. (1992:1, 1992:2, 1993, 1996) concluded that self-esteem acts as an anxiety buffer. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of addressing a patient by name on pre-procedural anxiety level of in-ward patients, who are undergoing basic blood investigations in a large private hospital in Colombo. The hypothesis tested in this research was, talking to patients by addressing them by name, before an invasive procedure, reduces the pre-procedural anxiety level of hospital patients, than talking to them without referring by name or not talking to them at all.

Sythetic Weed Essay -- Drugs, Teenagers

Synthetic weed This is the best stuff ever you have to try it! This is what some kids would say to one another. They are talking about this drug named K2. It is becoming a trend in most teenagers. Teenagers are being admitted to the hospital more often now. They have found something that is legal and can buy around there home town or over the internet. Parents have never heard of this stuff before. It is scary to think that you cannot even tell if a child is taking K2 because there is no drug test to tell you. I think that K2 is worse than the real marijuana. There are symptoms that do come along with taking this drug as well as long term symptoms. Some people may feel that K2 is not as bad as marijuana. But here are the facts on marijuana. The most illegal drug in America is pot. Not always and not in everyone will pot effect people. When taken pot can trigger a mild euphoria and increased sensitivity to body sensations. Some people experience perceptual distortions and they are usually pleasant. The effects of pot usually climax within an hour or two and then tend to fade all at once in three to four hours. Pot isn’t a single molecule that is a drug like alcohol or cocaine. There is a mixture of about 400 different chemical elements. There are about 85 cannabinoids that are unique to pot. The main cannabinoid is THC that is the main chemical in marijuana that triggers the drugs actions and effects on the body. (A) Some people who smoke their brains have more receptors to the THC than other people and that will affect the experience the users will have with THC to get the high. (b) THC is the chemical that is like a bomb when it goes off but it makes you feel good, it breaks up into about 80 separate by... ...ad K2 is but K2 is the worst of the two. Even though marijuana has more chemicals and the high lasts long than K2, K2 has more symptoms that are more dangers. Such as the heart beating fast more than a minute like marijuana. Also K2 you are vomiting and kids are being taken to the hospital more often now. K2 also has the keys that lock into the receptors better than marijuana and that way you can get a better high. THC is weaker than the chemicals used in K2 also. All of this information shows that it is bad for you. Anything you put in your body that is a chemical has side effects and should be used with caution. The one thing that I wish they would do to stop kids from getting admitted to the hospitals is to inform the kids what they are getting themselves into. Kids think it is good because it is legal but they are not being informed on the dangers.

kant Essay -- essays research papers

Kants’ Critiques of Pure reason and Groundwork of the Metaphysics Kant states that, â€Å"In the order of time, therefore, we have no knowledge antecedent to experience, and with experience all our knowledge begins, but although all of our knowledge begins with experience, it does not follow that it all arises out of experience,†(CPR,41). What he means is that we do not rely on experience inorder to have knowledge, but knowledge and experience are connected for to have knowledge we must begin with experience. There are four types of knowledge that Kant deduced. A priori, which is knowledge that is independent of experience, knowledge which is always true, does not rely on a person to experience it inorder for one to realize that it is true. A priori knowledge are entitled pure when there is â€Å"no admixture of anything empirical,† (CPR, 43). Kant also states that, â€Å"Necessity and universality are sure criteria of apriori knowledge, and are inseparable from once another,† (CPR, 44). A posterior knowledge on the other hand is knowledge which is dependent on experience, and requires it inoder to understand it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Analytic judgments are, â€Å"those in which the connection of the predicate with the subject is thought through identity,† (CPR, 48). Synthetic judgments are, â€Å"Those in which the connection between the predicate and the subject is not present,† (CPR, 48). Analytic judgments are explicative because they add nothing new to the subject, but only further the...

Film techniques Essay

Human kind has always displayed a desire, within their literature, to engross themselves on a journey of self reflection. However often these journeys can also be negatively forced upon a character. Skrzynecki, in his text ‘Immigrants at central station’ explores how forced journeys have dehumanised and isolated his family on their journey of migration. However, in ’10 Mary street’ Skrzynecki focuses on positive outcomes of journeys that him and his family have taken on their own. Furthermore ‘Girl, interrupted’, the 1999 movie directed by James Mangold, Outlines the segregation and inequality of forced journeys whilst also looking at journeys with positive outcomes of self enlightenment that were chosen to be taken. People who are forced upon a journey may feel isolated and disempowered. Skrzynecki explores this in ‘immigrants at central station’ through detailing the apprehension felt by migrants whilst waiting for a train in central station, Sydney. In the first line of the poem â€Å"it was sad to hear† Skrzynecki has already established a sombre using the highly descriptive word ‘sad’. Similarly in the line ‘a dampness that slowly sank into our thoughts’ He continues this negativity through the sensual imagery of ‘dampness’ and the depressive symbolism of ‘sank into our thoughts’. Skrzynecki also uses the simile ‘like cattle bought for slaughter’ to link to the negativity shown in stanza 1, he also creates a sense of entrapment, dehumanising the migrants and reducing them to livestock. Skrzynecki uses repetition of the first line with the introduction of a conjunction at the beginning ‘but it was sad to hear’. Doing so allows him to refer back to the first stanza and stress the sombre tone while the conjunction allows Skrzynecki to juxtapose the poem against the last two paragraphs bringing the audience’s attention to the suddenness of the arrival of the train. Paragraph 2 (negative) yet to be analysed Alternatively people can immerse themselves on journeys of self-reflection and self discovery, leading to a sense of empowerment and happiness. Skrzynecki in ‘10 Mary Street’ details a positive outcome of a chosen journey through the story of his family in their home on Mary Street. The line ‘My parents watered plants†¦ like adopted children’ uses accumulation to display the journey that the parents have taken to lovingly care for their plants

Humanities and Academic Disciplines Essay

Do you know what your human condition is? If this is a question that you have ever asked yourself then you might have heard of humanities. â€Å"Humanities are academic disciplines that study the human conditions, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural science. † Wikipedia. (n. d. ). Looking further into humanities we are able to better understand ancient and modern languages, literature, law and history, just to name a few, a whole lot better. Distinguishing the difference between humanities vs. other modes of human inquiry and expression are simply put that humanities are the study of the humans action and reaction to different areas mentioned above, were as other methods can include the study of science and math as it relates to the items mentioned above. Art for example in an area of study is widely considered in the humanities for the creative nature that one has to have to create â€Å"art†. First we have the history of art, then drawing, painting and so on. This is an interesting topic when dealing with humanities. Some say that it is pure talent and enjoyment when it comes to art. Other say that it is something that has to be done very precise and thought out, then and only then is something considered art. Music is also a big topic when it comes to humanities. Like art it depends on the person when it comes to humanities. One might think that music is a way of expression or a form of speaking. Were as others might take music to the extreme and feel like they have to hit every note at the exact same pitch every time or sing every word is the same tone every time to be precise. Like a math equation, it must equal out to be the same every time or it will not work. Another topic that we need to discuss is literature. At its broadest, it can mean any sequence of words that has been saved for the spread in some form or an other, often it is used to Humanities 3 show the creativeness or imaginative works such as stories, poems, and skits. It is also used for the use if items that are of great significance and in need of reward. Shakespeare had literature mastered at his prime and was able to express his love for plays and life through his writings. It  takes much talent to express yourself or something in the way that you intended it to come Architecture is a great way for one to fully express themselves or share with millions the way they are feeling or their creativeness. By constructing any type of building for the whole world to see is a bold statement that should not be taken lightly or given only a few moments thought. Yes, it does require great mathematical skill to be able to construct wonderful buildings but it also take a very creative mind, a mind willing to be open and free to new ideas and procedures, to try new things. One might argue that architecture is purely the use or mathematics or geometry, but the bases of build something comes from deep within. Now philosophy which is â€Å"investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods† Answer. com. (2011) is definitely something that has to do with the study of humanities and how the human nature reacts to such behaviors. It needs to be purely creative to even begin starting In the world today there are many topics that we are able to discuss about the relations of humanities. Given the few examples that we have discussed we are able to see that the relation between humanities and other human inquiries are very well defined. We now know that humanities are the study of academic disciplines that study the human conditions. I firmly believe the humanities are great increased based on a right or left brained person. It takes great creativity to come up with new laws, build an architectural beautiful building or create music Humanities 4 that is pleasing to its listeners. The humanities are an essential thing to help us visualize the study of academic disciplines.