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."
Abstract This paper discusses the five main characteristics essential for effective leadership. The paper explains that a successful leader must sustain a high level of integrity, must be committed to a vision, must develop relationships to bring the vision into reality, must display candor and passion, and must sustain a high level of knowledge. The paper illustrates that effective leadership produces positive results in both organizations and communities.
From the Paper "One of the most important keys to leadership is showing integrity. Integrity is at the center of the power of leadership. While intensity and toughness can be effective in some leaders, these things have nothing to do with integrity. Integrity involves being straightforward in an approach to leadership, and being clear about what you are doing or not doing. A leader with integrity ensures that every member of his team is familiar with the rules and knows what the leader is all about. The results produced by leaders with integrity are a great contribution to the organization and its future."
Tags: integrity, vision, management, knowledge, team
Abstract Examines the learning disorder and language-impaired children. Describes dyslexia; its symptoms. Academic performance & learning problems of dyslexic children. Learning disorders causes by neurological abnormalities. Anatomical differerences in the brain of dyslexics. Effect on motor production skills. Possible role of genetics. Treatment of dyslexia; adaptive training exercises; special programs.
From the Paper "Dyslexia is a learning disorder in which children have difficulty recognizing and interpreting words (Ford-Martin, 1999). They are unable to recognize and decode the sounds and syllables, i.e. the phonetic structure, of written words and language, and this lowers their accuracy in reading. Many children with dyslexia are gifted and very productive: there is no link at all between dyslexia and low intelligence (Turkington (1999). A study by Curtiss, Katz and Tallal (1992) showed that in terms of language acquisition, language-impaired children were markedly similar to language-matched normal children. The National Institute of health estimates that about 15 percent of the U. S. population is affected by learning disabilities, and most of these have problems with language and reading.
The symptoms of dyslexia, like any learning disorder, are..."
Abstract Discusses challenges confronted by social workers and other counseling professinals who provide intervention and prevention services. Acting-out or delinquent behavior as a feature of adolescent depression disorders. Need for a working alliance between rehabilitation system caregivers, justice system professionals and parents. Theoretical causes of delinquency. Achieving desirable attitudinal change.
From the Paper "Counseling and Juvenile Rehabilitation
Social workers and other counseling professionals are confronted with the myriad challenges of providing effective intervention and prevention services to juvenile delinquents and other adolescents referred to juvenile rehabilitation centers (Miser, 1996). In the mental health literature, acting-out or delinquent behavior is recognized as an associated feature of adolescent depression disorders. These concerns, however, are seldom addressed in the delinquency literature, which tends to position delinquency and acting-out behaviors as independent of other potentially co-morbid conditions or disorders (miser, 1996). For professionals who work with this population, the literature indicates that working alliances between disparate rehabilitation system caregivers, justice system professionals, and parents a ..."
Abstract Proposes a study design to assess impact of childhood abuse on adult adjustment Relationships between early sexual abuse and adult problems (depession, anxiety, drug abuse, attempted suicide, psychiatric disorders. Depression & anxiety in women and men.. Research questions & hypotheses. Methodology. Nonclinical random sample using only self-reports. Data analysis. Review of literature.
From the Paper "EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE ON FEMALE & MALE ADULTS
I. INTRODUCTION
Statement of the Problem
Childhood sexual abuse continues to be prevalent and prevention or intervention efforts are considered a failure ("Child," 1999; Gelles, 1998). Childhood sexual abuse results in effects that continue into adulthood. Relationships between this sexual abuse and adult problems such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, attempted suicide, and psychiatric disorders, have been found (McCauley, Kern, Kolodner, Dill, Schroeder, DeChant, Ryden, Derogatis, & Bass, 1997). Studies of the effects of childhood sexual abuse on women are more prevalent than those regarding male victims. Those regarding male victims tend to focus on sexual identity issues (Ferren, 1998). Effects of this abuse on ..."
Abstract This paper discusses various theories of criminal behavior including biological, psychological, and sociological factors. Some of the theories discussed are Lombroso's theory of atavism, Freud's theory of the id, ego, and superego and Aker's social learning theory.
From the Paper "Attribution theory is aimed at explaining why people behave or act in a certain manner. Some people attribute behaviors to some quality within the individual themselves, such as biology, heredity, or psychology. Others attribute behaviors to factors outside of the individual. These are social factors, which include economic factors, the community in which the individual lives, the family, peer groups, and many more. For centuries, theorists have been applying the attribution theory to crime in order to determine why people commit crime. There are many different theories on this subject. Some attribute crime to biology, some to psychology, and others to sociology. These theories can be applied individually or combined to describe why people commit crime."
Examines the ethical codes and practitioner duties of the American Counseling Association, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Abstract The chief similarity and major ethical concern of the three professional associations - The American Counseling Association, The American Association of Pastoral Counselors and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies - is client welfare. The paper shows that differences arise chiefly in emphasis. It shows, for example, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) focus chiefly on client welfare, while the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) sees counseling in part as a religious ministry.
From the Paper "All three organizations are against self-promotion and aggressive advertising for private clients in an institutional/group setting. Client welfare is also observed when counselors use human subjects in research studies. Counselors must "take reasonable precautions to avoid causing injurious psychological, physical, or social effects to their subjects" (ACA Code, 1999), and they are expected to report, without deception, unfavorable as well as favorable research results. Informed consent is the governing principle of research-related activities in ACA, CAPS and AAPC."
Abstract This paper provides evidence through studies and reports that mental illness shares a powerful relationship with homelessness. The mentally ill often suffer from symptoms that alienate them from supportive networks, thus leading them to homelessness. Bereft of stable living conditions, the mentally ill thus have an even more difficult time obtaining treatment to improve their condition. The paper shows that on the streets, these people are victimized by traumatic situations -- assaults by criminals and harassment by police. Concomitantly, social policies have contributed to the plight of many homeless people through de-institutionalization without providing support through community mental health services and the housing market. The paper shows that with the implementation of cost-effective and well-researched intervention, the relationship between homelessness and mental illness can be increasingly weakened.
From the Paper "However, in O"Dwyer's study (1997), the schizophrenic participants in the study also had an unhealthy and unstable home life (p. 301). Many of the younger participants ran away from home due to conflict with their parents (p. 301). The older respondents, who were more than fifty years old, led an itinerant lifestyle because of their work situations. They never considered themselves to be homeless even though their lifestyle meant that they never formed close and supportive relationships. Therefore when their illness prevented them from working, they did not have any supportive networks to assist them (O"Dwyer, 1997, p. 303)."
Abstract This paper examines several key concepts in group theory and group dynamics, and relates them to specific examples in the writer's own experience. It focuses on controversy, negotiation, power, demographics, performance, and building productive teams. All are important elements in the ability of a group to fulfill its reasons for coming together and to satisfy the individual participants who make up the group. Understanding these concepts helps to highlight several essential processes necessary to a group's success. Relating the theories found in David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson's text, "Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills", to specific examples from the author's own life helps to clarify how these principles work and how these theories can be applied outside the classroom.
From the Paper "Groups function in a variety of ways and as the result of different kinds of actions. One of the most significant processes seems on the surface to be the most potentially destructive, but controversy can actually help a group to come to a better resolution and work more effectively on future challenges. Controversy begins with individual assumptions that the group has all the information it needs to handle a crisis or make a decision, and the assumption that is then shattered through open discussion with others in the group. When discussion does not occur, controversy does not follow--and the group then suffers from faulty decisions."
Abstract This paper examines the fierce debate between the rationalist and the empiricist theorists on the issue of language acquisition which has captured the imagination of the linguistic world for decades. It looks at how although the rationalists? concept of specific language mechanisms in the brain has prevailed for many years, new research by connectionist theorists has tilted the balance towards the empiricists? approach. It provides a detailed comparative analysis of these two competing approaches and explores their application in children's discourse to assess their validity. It also discusses the work by the connectionist theorists and the implications on the future of linguistic research in the area of first language acquisition.
From the Paper "In Chomsky's (1972) original conception, the mind of children is analogized to a black box called the "Language Acquisition Device" (LAD). This box contains all linguistic principles that do not derive from the interaction with the environment. In Chomsky's (1981) "Principles-and-Parameters Theory" and his subsequent work, his version of how children utilize their linguistic knowledge to acquire language in their specific environments is presented. Before their interaction with the environment, children possess an ?universal grammar.? With exposure to specific linguistic environments, all children need to do is to set the switches on certain parameters that correspond to their language (in Hirsh-Pasek & Golinkoff, 1996, pp. 31-2)."
Tags: empiricist, rationalist, linguistics, barin, children
Abstract This paper provides an overview of numerous articles which study the link between the Vietnam war and PTSD. Examples of articles analyzed are: "Attempted Suicide Among Vietnam Veterans: A Model of Etiology in a Community Sample" by Fontana and Rosenheck (1995) and "Sleep Events Among Veterans with Combat-Related Post traumatic Stress Disorder" by Mellman, Kulick-Bell, Ashlock, Nolan (1995). The paper shows the hypothesis, purpose, conclusions, strengths and weaknesses of the articles.
From the Paper ""Clozapine treatment for a veteran with comorbid psychosis and PTSD" by Hamner (1996). This author points out that antipsychotic medications for PTSD patients has received little previous investigation, and presents findings regarding treatment with Clozapine for a PTSD Vietnam veteran. The purpose of the study was logically supported with previous reports of associations between PTSD and psychotic disorders. A weakness of this study is the small sample size, one case study, which results in limited findings. However, results did show a positive response to Clozapine treatment, for psychotic symptoms and core PTSD symptoms. This information provides impetus for further investigation with more adequate study methodology."
Abstract This paper briefly examines how the recent spate of high school shootings, has brought attention to the crisis of violence afflicting the young generations all over the world. It looks at how one of the possible explanations for youth aggression is the exposure of children to violence in the mass media. It shows how with technological advances, children are constantly bombarded by violent images in movies, television programs and video games. It also looks at how the widespread use of walkmans and portable CD players, heavy metal, rock and rap music also play a large part in introducing children to a world of violence and how consequently, impressionable children are encouraged to act aggressively in an effort to emulate their role models.
From the Paper "Teenagers? lives are dominated by music, whether via the public airwaves or television. Although teenagers may not understand all the lyrics of their favorite songs, they fill in the gaps by watching music videos. Therefore, the effects of the music and lyrics are now bolstered by graphic images from the videos. Unfortunately, music videos often portray violent and negative behavior, such as sexism and substance abuse. Studies of the content of the music videos reveal that about half of thematic music videos contain violence (Mendelsohn, 1989, p. 313). According to research, teenagers who veer towards heavy metal music demonstrate signs of "alienation, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, suicide risk, or risk-taking behaviors during adolescence" (Mendelsohn, 1989, p. 312)."
Abstract This paper discusses how the death of a parent can be a wrenching experience for the children left to grieve, though the degree of psychological turmoil may depend on a number of factors such as the age of both parent and children, the circumstances of the death, the structure of the family and so on. It examines how the type of death involved can make a difference in terms of how long it takes the survivors to come to terms with that loss. It shows how the response of adolescents to the death of a parent involves a complex interaction of feelings, thoughts and behaviors and how research shows that social support is one of the most crucial requirements for helping individuals come to grips with the grief process. It also looks at how the death of a spouse results in grief, depression, tension, anxiety, confusion and a severe sense of loss. It discusses how most of the feelings experienced by death do decrease over time with varying courses of treatment by the end of a bereavement period.
From the Paper "Before any person can begin to recover from the grief associated with a sudden and serious loss, he or she must acknowledge that a problem exists. Most people, after someone really close to them dies, believe that no one understands the pain they are experiencing. In a recent book written by one of the co-founders of the Grief Recovery Institute, the author mentions that the length and intensity of the relationship with the deceased determines the amount of pain the survivor will suffer (James, 1986, 18). That book recommends that people experiencing grief find "a fellow griever so you can learn and recover together" (James, 1986, 19). The author says that many people are able to grieve with fellow family members who are experiencing the same loss. That book suggests that people recover quicker and more fully when they are able to be around other individuals who are also suffering traumatic losses. Some sort of human support is important during a survivor's period of grief."
