Abstract This paper examines what the Existentialist philosophy can bring to counseling, explaining that it brings, among other things, an understanding of what it means to be human, and to experience freedom. The paper further explains that Existentialism should be views as a growth model, rather than a sickness model.
From the Paper "Existentialist philosophy offers to counseling and psychotherapy a unique understanding of what it means to be human, to exist and to be and to experience freedom. Further, as both Coleman and Davison and Neale pointed out, existentialism helps the individual who is in counseling understand his or her potential ,his or her actual state of being in the world and the reality that the client knows or perceives. Having understood the nature of this reality one is theoretically..."
Abstract This paper offers suggestions of the major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women. The paper uses three theoretical perspectives in sociology to analyze the social phenomenon of divorce and explain the causes of today's higher divorce rate compared with the past: Symbolic interaction, functional analysis and conflict theory. The paper concludes that changes of the meanings of marriage influence spousal communication, and thus reflect in the increasing divorce rate. As the family structure today is no longer one economic unit this means that marriage is more fragile. The relationship between men and women affect the status of marriage. All these changes are part of the development of industrialization and urbanization of the American society.
From the Paper "Along with the development of society, there have been dramatic changes in American marriages. Nowadays, we knew more about divorce cases from our friends, media, and movies. According to statistics, "more than 90 percent of Americans marry at some time during their lives" (Yalom, 2). However, "close to half of all American marriages end in divorce" (Yalom, 164). We may be curious of reasons of such a high divorce rate. Henslin is a sociologist, and he does lots of researches on the changes of social phenomenon. Based on Henslin's American marriage and divorce figure (attached on page 7), the rate of American divorce kept increasing rapidly from the year 1955 to 1980; nevertheless, the divorce rate almost kept on the same level after that. Furthermore, Henslin estimates that the divorce rate would go down a little bit from the year 2000 to 2010. Because of the changes of social structure, Americans have to accept high divorce rates as a fact of life. However, it is still necessary to figure out major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women."
Abstract This paper relates that Stanley Milgram was a pioneer researcher on obedience to authority. The author points out that his ground-breaking and shocking studies conducted at Yale in the 1960s are still relevant today. The paper provides historical background on Professor Milgram, a full description of the obedience studies, their results and their applications to society and humanity.
From the Paper "Written in 1974, Stanley Milgram's Obedience to Authority revealed shocking truths about human nature--particularly with respect to how easily people could be manipulated to perform horrible acts on innocents when induced by a perceived legitimate authority figure. "...the most fundamental lesson of our study: ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process." (Stanley Milgram, 1974, as quoted in Blass, 2004, xvii). While his groundbreaking research was conducted in the 1960s, his findings are relevant today in the field of psychology and in many other fields. His work continues to be studied and applied (Blass, 2004). Just what were these experiments, and what did they find?"
Abstract This paper discusses how historically the concept of the single parent family in the United States has led to the belief that when one individual attempts to raise a child there will be hardships and family failure. This is contended because of the reliance of the family on one income and the dual roles that many single parents are forced to play in raising their children. Single mothers act as caregiver disciplinarian financial head of household and housekeeper. The paper further discusses how in addition to these responsibilities most single moms have full-time jobs, and statistics indicate that the majority of single mothers in the country receive no financial support from fathers. Yet, despite the abundance of negative elements that may be possible in the world of the single parent, there is an absolute possibility of success for the single parent to raise a family in this country.
Abstract This paper discusses the personalities that police officers either enter the job with or develop over time. The paper specifically discusses the unique personality traits versus the socialization and experience traits and discusses the difference between these traits, particularly as they relate to police work. It also includes viewpoints from the writer's job experience.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Personality Trait Viewpoints
Socialization and Experience: My Viewpoint
Conclusion
From the Paper "There are two types of personality trait designations that are used to describe police officers. Some two types are the unique traits viewpoint, and socialization and experience viewpoint. Those who believe in the unique traits viewpoint are often referred to as predisposition personality traits. Also in this viewpoint, insists that law enforcement attracts a certain type of individual to the job. Within this viewpoint, some of the traits included are authoritarianism, cynicism, racism, hostility, secretiveness, and loyalty. (Dantzker, 2003). These are the type of qualities that law enforcement agencies and security companies do not wish to have."
Abstract Organizations must be willing to adapt or change in response to trends in the marketplace. This paper looks at how these trends include shifting demographics, new technologies, competition and changing social values. The paper also looks at how, in reaction to the external forces, high-performance organizations have emerged. Other trends in organizational behavior such as the influence of ethics on decision-making and the impact of technology on work-related stress are also detailed.
Outline:
Abstract
Organizational Behavior Trends
Ethics and Decision-Making
Technology and Stress
Conclusion
From the Paper "Success in any work setting depends on a respect for people and an understanding of human behavior in complex organizational systems (Schermerhorn et al, 2005). Understanding the human behavior is especially important when trying to manage and develop people to make ethical and savvy business decisions on behalf of the organization. Most people will agree ethical behavior is defined as behavior that is morally right and good as opposed to wrong or bad. However, the consensus of what is ethical pertaining to a specific action will often vary from person to person."
Abstract This paper explains that Kody Scott's autobiography "Monster" describes the his transformation into a ruthless killing machine and then back into a devout Muslim and a member of New Afrikan Independence Movement. The author points out that Kody's early childhood and teenage years conform well to various criminological theories, which are discussed in this paper.The paper relates that, as the social control theory describes, Scott developed an attachment to his family and became committed to make his family's life worth living. The author reports that Kody changed his name to Sanyika Shakur and dedicated his life to eradicating "gangsterism".
Table of Contents:
Criminological Theories
Introduction
The Arousal Theory
Differential Association Theory
The Social Learning Theory
Social Cognitive Theory
The Self-Control Theory
The Nature Assumption Theory
The Social-Control Theory
Change in Behavior over Time
From the Paper "Thomas Hobbes in his theory of social control suggests that people are naturally deviant, and that they want to satisfy their instinctive urges. However, they don't adopt the deviant nature due to four reasons described as attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs. In Kody's case, he was more attached to his fellow gang members than he was to his own family. He didn't have much commitment to anything but his gang. He wasn't involved in any activities other than his gang. As for his beliefs he started out believing that he was wrong, but as time passed he began to rationalize what he was doing."
Abstract This paper explains that the development of a personal theory of counseling is an important aspect of becoming a helping professional. The author points out that a personal theory is in itself a process and a tool, which the counselor uses to evaluate the client and his needs and and assess his own effectiveness as a helping professional. The paper relates that the author's own personal philosophy is influenced greatly by the phenomenological and humanistic approaches espoused by Alfred Adler and the existentialists and by the cognitive influences, especially appraisal, choice and responsibility as described by A. Ellis and W. Glasser. The author underscores that the fundamental goal of therapy is not necessarily symptom relief but rather identifying and exploring mistaken goals and ineffective values so that clients can make choices that are more congruent with their true selves.
Table of Contents:
View of Human Nature
Key Concepts
Therapeutic Goals and Objectives
Therapeutic Process
Techniques/Procedures
Multicultural Issues
From the Paper "Although I believe that humans have strong biological determinants with regard to personality, behavior, thought, and affect, I feel that the complexities of the mind transcend our innate composition such that we can function as unique, healthy, and adaptive individuals in both our internal and external worlds. Unfortunately, we sometimes get side-tracked from living up to our human potential, and our biological determinants then become more dominant. To be human is to be complex."
Tags: professional effectiveness adler cognitive, client directed planning
Abstract This paper explains that Native Americans disproportionately have a greater occurrence of mental health and substance use disorders than the population as a whole. The author relates that the U.S. government's policy of expansion, containment and non-sanctioned genocide in the 1880s has manifested itself in the Native-American population as poverty, alienation from mainstream public services and education, increased risk for medical and psychological conditions and a fractured sense of tribal and family cohesiveness. The paper points out that alcohol dependence combined with major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder are the most prevalent co-occurring disorders. The author reports that the evolving standard treatment method for Native-American clients is integrated mental health and addiction services using motivational interviewing, which is especially compatible with Native-American values.
From the Paper "Because Native Americans have a long, rich cultural heritage strikingly different from the mainstream of America, and because Native America is segmented into hundreds of tribes, many of which with their own unique cultural systems, providing adequate mental health and chemical dependency services in a culturally sensitive manner is difficult. This very issue serves as a barrier to treatment and outcomes, especially for individuals living off reservations where local community support and tribal customs are not present. Even on reservations, community support is inadequate as funding for mental health services through the Indian Health Services entitlement is woefully under-funded."
An examination of learning theories, formed as a result of physiological research, which have have provided a basis for our understanding of what learning is and the activities that can help explain learning.
4,366 words (approx. 17.5 pages), 16 sources, 1999, $ 115.95
From the Paper "Education is the act of helping someone develop or improve on their physical fitness, and social relationship in the workplace. It involves the development of the intellect so as to acquire new skills and techniques with the aim of improving human development, productivity and efficiency. Education can be thought of as being a value added activity that once gained is not easily lost. To be ignorant of a process is to be uneducated. Workers therefore learn directly or indirectly as a result of education and this helps improve workplace performance and efficiency.
Learning enables us to adapt to our environment and we learn to anticipate and prepare for significant activities such as eating and handling sophisticated equipment. Learning theories which have been formed as a result of physiological research have provided a basis for our understanding of what learning is and the activities that can help explain learning."
Abstract This essay reviews Elizabeth Bishops poem "The Weed" and explores how it demonstrates her longing for parental figures in childhood, their absence, and the effect it has on her and will have on her children.
Tags: Freud, literature, poetry, signifier, symbolism, women
Abstract This paper discusses the learning styles of African-American students and addresses the need for teachers? to consider these styles when teaching to a diverse population. It provides a discussion of the various types of learning styles, in general, and African-American learning styles in particular. The paper also discusses the need to implement teacher education programs that address diversity in the classroom.
An analysis of the life and works of Sylvia Plath, in which the author strongly identifies with Plath's background and presents the idea that Plath suffered from bipolar disorder.
1,500 words (approx. 6 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 49.95
Abstract This paper examines the life and works of Sylvia Path. An analysis of her works is provided, influenced by the author's hypothesis that a mental disorder largely affected Path's writings and lifestyle. The paper traces Path's writings and opinions all the way up until her suicide. The author has a strong emotional attachment to Path, due to their similar backgrounds and characteristics.
From the Paper "Certain high risk activities are red-flag indicators for potential suicidal behaviors. These include using drugs and alcohol to escape stress and painful situations; the result of substance abuse is that a situation is created that increases an individual's feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and self-destructive behavior."
