Abstract The paper shows that philosophers and psychologists have argued endlessly about the forces that motivate a person most, since the earliest time of recorded history. There are many theories about this issue, but one assertion that has always been made is that there are essentially two forces that motivate people: self-interest and fear. The paper argues in favour of this theory and shows why the author is in agreement of the fact that being motivated by self-interest and fear is part of human nature. The paper discusses how all human actions are motivated by a desire to move towards pleasure and to move away from pain. This moving toward pleasure covers all our actions based on self-interest, whether direct or indirect and moving away from pain constitutes all our actions taken to avoid fear.
From the Paper "Pursuit of self-interest and avoidance of fear has been seen as part of human nature. We must reflect on why this is so, since nature does not act without reason. Self-interest is often associated with a negative and undesirable human trait that is either to be denied or suppressed. It must be realized that self-interest is not just a negative feeling and may well be responsible for progress made by mankind. It is what motivates human beings to make inventions, to strive for excellence, to compete, to try and better ourselves and our lives. It is a valuable and positive natural instinct and nothing to be ashamed of."
Defines & compares conceptual models: family systems, family pathology, family treatment, structural & strategic systems, concepts of triangulation, family life cycle.
5,625 words (approx. 22.5 pages), 19 sources, 1985, $ 135.95
From the Paper " The purpose of this research is to discuss family therapy in the context of marriage and family systems. Under discussion will be conceptual models of family therapy, the family life cycle concept, and a comparison of various approaches to the treatment of families.
Conceptual models of family therapy: family systems, family pathology, family treatment.
The conceptual models of family therapy that make the most sense are systems-based family therapy, whether structural or strategic, and the concept of triangulation. Systems-based family therapy, both structural and strategic, are based in social theory. Both deal with the psychodynamic world of the family rather than viewing the identified "sick" member of the family individually. For example, mental illness in a family (...)"
From the Paper "One of the issues of psychology is language acquisition, and different theories of how this process takes place have been offered. Each theory has its good points and its bad points, and none as yet seems to be definitive in explaining this complex learning experience. Two of the important theories are those of B.F. Skinner and Noam Chomsky, and they can be compared for their values and their problems.
B.F. Skinner
Skinner discusses the issue of language acquisition in his overall context of behaviorist psychology. He notes that language was acquired relatively late in the development of the human species, and this involved a remarkable change as the (...)"
This paper reviews the literature related to the effect of single parent families on the child's personality development: Socioeconomics, male v. female children, creativity of parenting, socialization, schooling and child's perspectives.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 17 sources, 1990, $ 55.95
From the Paper "This paper will review the literature related to the effect of single parent families on personality development. The paper will present a discussion of the important variables which need to be controlled in studies investigating the effect of single parent families, followed by issues of creativity and single parenting, and a summary.
Variables Considered
Every single parent family has sustained some loss to the system - one of the spouses is not present. In 89 percent of the single parent families in the U.S.. it is the husband/father who has been lost. The incidence of single parent child rearing has increased markedly from 11.9 percent in 1970 to 20.1 percent in 1981, and most of these cases are headed by women. Single parent families resulting from ... "
From the Paper "This paper will begin with a brief overview of the life and contributions of Carl Rogers, psychologist and scholar. It will focus specifically on the way he transformed the practice of psychotherapy. It will then turn to a central analysis of one of Rogers' most famous and influential works, "On Becoming A Person. Finally, the paper will conclude with an analysis of the implications of Rogers' works and speculate on the trends established by this prolific writer, scholar, and intellectual.
The entire professional career of Carl Rogers was devoted to enhancing human communication. In his work, he strove to understand and promote human relationships and was an active professional from the mid.1920s until his death in 1987. As a psychologist, Rogers accomplished an extraordinary number of things. He pioneered a major new approach to psychotherapy,... "
From the Paper "The family unit is a society unto itself, dependent on certain rules and modes of conduct that should mutually support its members. However, stress and crises of varying kinds can force this functioning body to change in ways that can have detrimental effects on each member. Drug use can precipitate such a crisis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how drugs, including alcohol, impact the family. As the research will show, life-long relationships, as well as the financial stability of the unit and the health of all members are affected as a result of these insidious substances.
"When people live together over a period of time, they develop patterns of relating to one another" (Lammana, 1991, p. 514). Any factor that disrupts these expectations marks the onset of a crisis. The insertion of drugs such as marijuana ..."
From the Paper "Child sexual abuse knows no boundaries of color, ethnicity or religion. It occurs in families of every socioeconomic level throughout the entire country. Surveys show that 16 percent of women in the U.S. have been sexually abused by a relative at least once in their lives (Goodwin, 1989). And, the true percentage of males who have been victims of abuse may never be known, since disclosing sexual abuse appears to be more difficult for men than for women (Brassard, Germain and Hart 1987). Across the United States, hundreds of prevention, intervention and therapeutic services exist to aid incest survivors, offenders, families and potential victims. However, experts acknowledge that these services can prove successful only if more is understood about the causes of child sexual ID abuse.
Research has found that one of the main causes of child ..."
An analysis of major cases from the "M'Naghten" case of 1843 through to the Jeffrey Dahmer case, including a definition, types, legal and psychological issues, due process and postpartum psychosis.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 10 sources, 1993, $ 79.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to discuss the insanity defense, starting from the M'Naghten rule to the present. Important cases will be highlighted.
Just as constitutional law tends to define itself through reaction to great cases, insanity defense jurisprudence tends to define itself through reaction to scandalous, sensational, hysteria-creating, or outrageous cases. According to some, the development of the insanity defense in the past 150 years has been marked by the idiosyncratic, episodic, and distorted response of an angry public, as well as a distorted media and reactive legislatures (Perlin, 1989-90, p. 609). The history of the not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) defense has been characterized by an extended search for a satisfactory standard (Schopp, 1988, p. 135). For many years, the M'Naghten test was..."
This paper reviews the psychotherapist Irvin Yalom's "Love's Executioner" about an approach emphasizing client's desire for meaning, fear of death, freedom and responsibility and client-therapist openness.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 1 source, 1995, $ 55.95
From the Paper " "What ails?" is a question Dr. Irvin Yalom repeatedly asks his patients. According to Dr. Yalom's Love's Executioner, therapist and patient can only answer this question and thereby come to a successful place in psychotherapy through personal interaction and mutual respect. The therapist's ability to lay down internal defenses, confront his own prejudices, all the while tolerating uncertainty, is critical.
Whereas the layman may assume that the therapist guides the patient through systematic and pre-determined stages of therapy toward a set, predetermined goal, in reality, rarely is this the actual case. Often, the therapist is armed with a map of training and past experience that proves to be of dubious merit. Yet, Dr. Yalom believes that the fumbling that ensues along the ... "
Abstract This paper discusses many forms of driver inattention on the road today. The paper states that Americans, and other drivers around the world, treat their cars like an extension of their homes: Eating, drinking, watching movies, talking on the phone, putting on make-up and even brushing their teeth in their cars, while driving. The author feels that the causes of these behaviors are our busy lifestyle, where we try to cram too much into each day.
From the Paper "Road rage is a relatively new problem to the country's drivers, and it has affected everyone who ever sits down behind the wheel. A study by the American Automobile Association's Foundation for Traffic Safety found a 51 percent increase between 1990 and 1996 in incidents of motorists behaving in an overtly hostile manner. They found that road rage has grown over 7 percent in the 90s'. "At least 1,500 men, women, and children are seriously injured or killed each year in the United States as a result of senseless traffic disputes and altercations."
Tags: driver, inattention, homes, busy, lifestyle, traffic, disputes, ban
Abstract This paper examines Abraham Maslow's theory of human development, which Maslow diagrammed as a hierarchy of needs. The paper provides a comprehensive description of this hierarchy, the base of which is formed by physiological needs, followed by social needs and culminating in self-actualization. The paper discusses the stages of early childhood development in relation to Maslow's hierarchy, and includes an overview of the developmental problems with abused children.
Table of Contents
Theory of Human Development
Physiological Needs
Safety/Order Needs
Social Needs
Esteem Needs
Self-actualization
Development Stages
Development Flaws in Abused Children
Bibliography
From the Paper "Abraham Maslow's theory of human development suggests that basic needs are physiological and that the ultimate at the top of the pyramid model is self-actualization, which implies an unattached human being realizing its full potential and autonomy (Maslow). Maslow's theory of human development involves moving from basic needs (food and shelter) to social needs (love and esteem) to the highest needs on his hierarchy, which lead to self-actualization. According to Maslow's theory, humans have several types of needs: physiological, safety/order, social, esteem and self-actualization (Maslow). These needs are the basis of his human development theory."
A paper which overviews compulsive gambling, gives examples of addictive gamblers behavioral patterns and finally lists common and extreme treatments for compulsive gamblers.
Abstract This paper begins by describing addictive gambling and what causes it. It then cites various examples of compulsive gamblers and the devastation that they have experienced as a result of their adiction. It explains their behavioral problems and patterns. Finally the paper lists resources such a Gamblers Anonymous and other treatments available for compulsive gambling.
From the Paper "Many people today suffer from a variety of addictions. The first assumption commonly related with addiction is substance abuse, addiction to a drug or alcohol. While drug and alcohol abuse are serious issues that people battle with everyday, there is an emerging addiction that is similar to substance abuse with effects that are just as devastating. Addiction to gambling is a serious problem that is plaguing our country slowly and unnoticeably. Not only is gambling addicting for some people, it can have devastating effects on the addict and the addict's family. Evidence supports the probability that many people are not aware of the increase of gambling addicts in society and furthermore are unaware of the effects of problem gambling. However, after studies of problem gamblers involving what drives a gambling addict, there are resources to help cure addictive gamblers."
Tags: Pathological, legalized, lottery, Atlantic, City, casino, alcoholism
Abstract Regular television viewers exercise less, often snack more, and so forth, but what is particularly disturbing is the effect such chronic television watching is having on the reading habits of our nation's children. The paper looks at the reasons why children of today are reading less, starting from the fact that they are simply mimicking their parents lack of reading habits and leading to the fact that television reduces a child's speaking (and thus reading) abilities due to their lack of personal contact. The paper examines what parents can do to influence and change their children's viewing habits and how they can direct them to enjoy the world of literature.
From the Paper "Thus, excessive television viewing adversely affects children's reading and learning abilities regardless of socio-economic background, or prior study habits and academic achievements. Television acts like a mind-numbing drug depriving children of their imagination and their ability to engage in complex reasoning. It accustoms them to expect everything to be presented to them polished up and fully formed. Children who watch too much TV neglect many other activities in favor of watching television. They read less and interact less with those around them, in particular their parents or other adults. Television robs children of the power to discover their world for themselves, and instead feeds them an easily-digested pabulum, that all too many young people mistake for the reality of their existence. Television can be a help, and it can serve the purpose of providing innocent entertainment, but parents and teachers must make sure that children fully understand how to read."
Abstract This study considers understanding fan behavior by understanding their values and emotional levels regarding sports spectating. The results of one survey, distributed to ten randomly selected sports fans and one interview, distributed to an extreme sports fan, have been compared based on personal profiles, behavior patterns, satisfaction levels and social values, in an effort to learn how to improve fan behavior.
From the Paper "The popularity of spectator sports in the United States has seen a huge increase over the past few decades. This enormous increase is shown in the increase of money spent on spectator sports, which increased from $3.7 billion in 1970 to $4.9 billion in 1994 (U. S. Census Bureau, 1996). With this increased popularity, spectator sports have also seen increases in the mass media, with more television and radio time, advertising and promotion being dedicated to sports."
Abstract The expectancy theory of motivation, which was first created by Victor Vroom, has become a widely accepted theory for explaining how individuals make decisions regarding different behavioral alternatives. This paper examines the basic philosophy of this theory - the need for valence, expectancy and instrumentality in order for the theory to work. It shows arguments against the theory and claims that it is too vague to be seriously applied as a model of human behaviour. Finally, the paper uses the expectancy theory as an example on a real-life situation.
From the Paper "Research has suggested that the expectancy theory must be expanded in order to consider the effects of the time between when the individual intended to act and when the actual behavior took place; the significance of previous behavior on subsequent behavior; and the sequence of behavior (Saltzer, 1981). Hirokawa and Scheerhorn (1986) developed a model of group decision-making that supports general expectancy theory concepts. This model shows how groups come to decisions, which factors result in decisions, and how individual group members affect the quality of the decisions.
Research shows that treating people as a group may have many benefits, but it also has many undesirable consequences (Hansen, 1997). One of the major consequences is that individuals are proven to show less effort when performing collectively than when performing individually."
