Abstract Many factors have been linked to domestic violence, including family modeling, culture and substance abuse. This paper provides an overview of several of these factors. It shows how alcohol and substance abuse are directly linked to spousal and child abuse and how this problem is carried to the next generation. The paper also examines the social learning theory which contends that boys who witnessed violence towards their mothers by their fathers are more likely to beat their own partners. Finally, the paper looks at the link between ethnic groups and domestic violence.
From the Paper "One of the factors that has often been cited as leading to a propensity toward domestic violence as an adult is being the victim of violence as a child. The research on this seems to be ambiguous, however, with some studies showing a clear association and other studies indicated limited support for that theory. For example, Simons et al. (1995) explored four different sets of data in a study of Midwestern families and found only limited support for the idea that children who were subject to severe physical discipline were likely to be violent toward their spouses and children. On the other hand, Doumas et al. (1994) found association between both early child abuse and witnessing marital aggression and later adult domestic violence."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of legalizing marijuana. Specifically, it discusses the current United States' policies, the uses of marijuana, and the arguments for and against legalizing marijuana. Includes an outline.
Legalization of Marijuana
I. Current U.S. Policy regarding legalization of Marijuana
a. State law overview
b. Penalties
c. Pending legislation
II. Uses
a. Medical
b. Recreational
c. Environmental
III. Arguments
a. Pro legalization
b. Against legalization
c. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
From the Paper "The legalization of marijuana is one of the most controversial and volatile topics facing Americans today. In 2001, 34 percent of adult Americans believed marijuana should be legalized, the largest percentage since 1969, and up to 70 percent of adults approve of the use of medicinal marijuana (Cauchon, 2001, 01A). However, in November 2002, voters in Nevada turned down a measure to make the drug more readily available in the Silver State. Opposition is strongest among conservative Americans, while younger adults favor decriminalization. "The USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll found that support for legalization is highest among 18- to 49-year-olds, people in the West and independent voters. Opposition was greatest among the elderly, regular churchgoers and Republicans" (Cauchon, 2001, p. 01A)."
Abstract This paper explores the key elements of communication in marriage. It discusses some of the obstacles to effective communication, the damage done to a marriage when there is a lack of communication, and some methods for fostering effective communication.
From the Paper "It's been said many times before, but it must be said again. Marriage is the process of sharing. Communication is the key to this process. Indeed, communication between a married couple is the equivalent of sharing with one another. They communicate with one another both verbally and non-verbally in such a way that their partner understands what they mean. Quality communication is not just the sharing of words, but also the ability to listen and understand. (Leman, Pg 1) The following paragraphs will explore the key elements of communication in marriage. "
Abstract This paper explores and defines the basic components of Structural Family Therapy according to Salvador Minuchin, author of "Families and Family Therapy". Literary reviews and critiques of Minuchin's book and model for family therapy are also discussed.
From the Paper "Times have changed, for the good, in the view Minuchin expresses in Psychology Today (Minuchin, 1993). He saw a sign that Americans are no longer stigmatized by "family therapy" through the election of the Bill Clinton / Al Gore administration in 1992. ?At the Democratic Convention, Vice President Gore said that his family was in family therapy without fear or concern that such a statement reflects a deficit, that something is missing.? Of course, the Clinton Administration's scandals made better headlines and fodder for gossip than the positive things accomplished in those years, and yet Minuchin was correct in saying that barriers and stigmas regarding "family therapy" have been broken down, and that, along with the proven family solutions found within SFT, is a very good thing."
Abstract This paper studies the correlation between media exposure and resulting body image disturbance/eating disorder symptoms in the light of a recent research. It examines the impact and presents some latest developments in research findings in this area especially the concept of internationalization, which was largely ignored in earlier studies on the subject.
From the Paper "In a media-saturated culture like the one we have in the United States, the influence of media-promoted images on our perception of what is good, healthy, beautiful and desirable has often been discussed and in most cases vehemently criticized. Research indicates that female adolescents are increasingly being subjected to unhealthy body images in print and electronic media resulting in the rise of eating disorders cases. With media presenting us with images of super-thin women who are projected as symbols of success, eating disorders are unarguably on the rise among young women. This is the result of distorted body image or body image disturbance that occurs when people, both men and women, overestimate their body size and harbor chronic thoughts about dieting, weight loss and consumption of fat. Body image distortion leads to unhealthy dietary habits where people start consuming less food with lower nutritional value and as the result suffer from eating disorders including bulimia and anorexia nervosa."
Abstract This paper explains that the nature-nurture controversy is the continuing debate over whether the individual's various traits and characteristics are influenced more by inborn factors, or nature, or by cultural influences and other aspects of experience, or nurture. The author points out that, today, scientists view human development as a combination of nature and nurture, while the British philosopher, John Locke, in the 1690s, suggested that the human infant is like a blank slate, or "tabula rasa", on which experience in the form of human learning writes messages on the infant's unformed mind. The paper relates that Sigmund Freud's theory of development states that human development is the product of both internal urges and external conditions, particularly children's sexual and aggressive urges, and how parents handle them.
From the Paper "Many professions have solicited the assistance of psychologists in trying to predetermine the psyche of potential persons for areas such as employment and placement. The legal profession has sought out psychologists on both sides to prove their theories of the mental abilities, behavior explanations or predictions of behavior of a defendant or plaintiff. "Society has let the pendulum swing wildly back from nurture to nature, leaving behind a number of bewildered social scientist. Yet we still love to phrase everything in terms of one influence or the other, rather than both." In the educational profession, understanding the balance or affect of both nature and nurture is essential to designing an effective plan for each pupil's advancement."
Abstract The purpose of this study was to research and study why we have nightmares, night terrors, and how lucid dreaming can help us understand them. By studying nightmares and terrors, we can figure out the cause and pinpoint the problem and resolve it so that we can have a good night sleep.
Abstract Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring on feelings of self-consciousness, judgment, evaluation, and criticism. Simply put, it is the fear and anxiety of being judged and evaluated negatively by other people. This leads to feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, humiliation, and possibly depression. A person may be shy to speak in public situations, but there is a time when the "shyness" becomes so severe that medical attention is needed. Social phobia is the third largest mental health care problem in the United States, and affects roughly 7% of the population at any given time. This paper attempts to give a comprehensive review of this disorder, covering all aspects of it,from its earliest forms of development, to all known possibilities for treatment.
From the Paper "America has become so acclimated to the idea of divorce, in fairly recent times, that it is now considered a common phenomenon. Starting in the 1950"s, American society, as a whole, began to change the way it looked at an individual's familial obligations; emphasis on commitment towards the family changed to emphasis on commitment to the self. This ethical shift in priorities had a profound effect on ideas about the purpose and nature of family. Individual satisfaction within the family circle became as much, if not more, of a priority than such things as levels of income and attempts to boost children onto a higher rung on the socioeconomic ladder. When a partner did not receive this particularized satisfaction as part of the marriage, divorce offered that person a chance to make oneself over from the inside out. It enabled one to renovate the inner self and to acquire emotional assets that weren"t present before, like assertiveness, initiative, and a stronger self-image. Divorce can be an escape from irretrievably broken marriages and ones that are marred by emotional or physical abuse, or chronic infidelity."
An examination of the psychological correlation between various psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and paranoia, and criminal behavior.
2,770 words (approx. 11.1 pages), 18 sources, 1996, $ 82.95
From the Paper "There are many different psychological theories in criminology. However, I have chose to narrow down the categories to mental illness and its relation to crime. Are mentally disordered individuals more culpable of committing crimes than "normal" individuals? If so, what are the types of disorders? Which types of disorders have the highest rate of criminality, and why? Is the rate of crime shown to be higher in the mentally ill rather than the sane? Do mentally disordered offenders walk freely from their crimes? Do they go to jail, or are they sanctioned to institutions for help? Are mental disorders a cause of crime? Empirical findings show that if anything, there may be a correlation between the two."
An exploration of the differences between the way men and women communicate, the roots of this communication and ways to communicate effectively together.
2,485 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 3 sources, 2001, $ 75.95
Abstract This paper explores the differences in verbal and nonverbal communication between men and women. It explains the roots of these differences and how to alleviate the gender communication crisis.
From the Paper "Do you ever wonder if men and women inhabit different planets? Can men and women be categorized into separate semantic types? Almost everyone would acknowledge that men and women have differences in the way they communicate. The question is: how different are they? Are they so different that the two groups are necessarily polarized to extreme ends of the communication spectrum? This question continues to baffle psychologists, relationship experts and the general public. Some would say that the differences are so minute that the issue is not worth debating. On the other side of the fence, the belief is that these differences are too great that men and women can indeed be confined to opposite poles. John Gray, author of the best-selling book, Men are from Mars, Women are From Venus certainly believes in the latter. According to Gray, men and women are so different in the way they communicate that it is only logical to believe that they originate from entirely different planets (Gray 5)."
Abstract This paper applies the personality theories of Karen Horney, Erik Erikson, Abraham Maslow, and Gordon Allport to the life of John Lennon. The author gives a detailed analysis of the development stages of each theory, how they apply to John Lennon and how they are used to explain, understand as well as predict behavior.
From the Paper "Personality is the term used to describe the enduring, stable characteristics of our lives as they are perceived by ourselves and others (Schultz, D. & Schultz, S.,2001). It is consistent throughout our lifetime and across varying situations, and is the driving force behind all our decisions and actions. Formal personality theories are created by psychologists, and are used to explain and understand behavior, as well as predict it. Useful personality theories should be able to be tested, and the results should be used to accept or reject parts of the theory. The best way to test a personality theory is to apply it to a real person, someone who has gone through all the proposed stages or sections of the theory, to see if the components of the theory hold true in real life. A good theory should provide explanations for the various actions and choices that a person has made in their life, a poor theory would leave these questions unanswered."
Abstract The following essay will demonstrate that no single theory can explain the complexity of human motivation, and that the most accurate explanation of human motivation lies somewhere in the middle ? where most motivational theories converge. The author looks at certain underlying assumptions that the different motivational theories hold. The author discusses different theories from three different schools of thought: humanistic, cognitive and learning. The author proposes that on its own, each theory has its strengths and weaknesses, and that one can only adequately understand motivation if one tries to combine all three schools of thought. The theories that are dealt with in this essay are: Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, Adam's Equity Theory, and the O.B. Mod Model.
From the Paper "The first school of thought that will be dealt with will be what Franken calls the "Humanist" school. According to Franken, this approach was first proposed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, and is based on the assumption that humans are innately good and possess a natural, biological tendency to grow and mature (Franken: 1988:p15). Franken goes on to say that the Humanist theorists believe that every Human being is unique. He then explains how the humanist term for the process of development of that uniqueness is "self-actualization" (Franken: 1988). This essay will now show how the above assumptions can be found in Maslow's theory of motivation, known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow believed that within every human being there exists a hierarchy of five needs. The first need he termed physiological need, which includes basic needs, such as the satisfaction of hunger, thirst, control of one's temper, and any other bodily needs. The second need was termed safety needs, and includes a person's innate need for security and protection from physical and emotional harms (Robbins: 1996: p169). The third need, Maslow believed, was a social need, which can be explained as a person's innate need to give and receive affection, to feel belongingness, acceptance and friendship. The fourth need Maslow points out is known as esteem needs, and includes "internal esteem factors", such as self-respect, autonomy and achievement. It also includes "external esteem factors", such as status, recognition, and attention. The final need making up Malsow's Hierarchy of Needs is termed self-actualization, and includes the drive for one to reach one's full potential, strive for personal growth, and become self-fulfilled (Robbins: 1996: p169)."
A look into the adverse effects of the various versions of the Cinderella fairy tale on a child's self-esteem and how morals portrayed in the fairy tale can ruin a child's perception of him/herself.
1,590 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 8 sources, 2001, $ 52.95
Abstract This paper is concerning different kinds of Cinderella stories from different cultures. It makes interesting comparisons on major plot differences based on cultural differences. The main emphasis of the paper is on the negative messages that the tales portray to children (being ideals of superficiality and materialism) and the way that these influence children's self-esteem.
From the Paper "The truth is, the world has been shallow for ages. We learned such values when we were only children, and our parents learned the same values when they were children, and so on for centuries past, all from a simple bedtime story. The infamous story is Cinderella; the story of a beautiful girl who is mistreated by her ugly stepsisters, only to thwart them by eventually meeting, and immediately falling in love with, a rich, handsome prince. Almost any person you talk to will tell you that he or she was read this tale as a child, or is at least familiar with it. The characters in Cinderella stories embody values that are both superficial and materialistic, and the stories teach children to model their own lives after the characters in the stories in order to achieve the happy ending they want in their own lives. The different characters in the Cinderella stories show not only that true love is based on looks, but also that being unattractive reflects bad character. These lessons are taught in most Cinderella stories, three of which are the Disney Cinderella, the McLoughlin Brothers" "Cinderella", and the "Tale of the Anklet". These stories send bad messages to children because they have a negative effect on the children's self-esteem.?
Abstract This paper explores television violence and its effects on children. It addresses how TV manipulates the minds of children, causing them to act in more aggressive and violent manners. The author argues that TV violence distorts children's minds into believing that violence is a healthy and acceptable way of dealing with problems.
From the Paper "There are many different supports for both sides of this issue. Those who believe that TV does have a major affect on children support their belief with the notions thusly: television violence and aggression lead to violent and aggressive behavior in children, witnessing violence on TV shapes and desensitizes the child’s view of the world, and television manipulates the mind of the child (Wood, 1999, p. 317). Those who conclude that TV violence plays no part in the aggressiveness of children base their assumptions on the theory stating that violence and aggression in youth is a result of an improper upbringing (Associated Press, 1999, p. 6A). They believe that children adapt their behavior from those that they are in human contact with most often. Another poignant support for television is that it is an extremely effective educational medium. They feel that the positive aspects of television far outweigh the negative ones (Kalin, 1999, p. 2). Lastly, there’s the “catharsis theory” which thoroughly supports the use of television violence in all programs. It claims that TV violence reduces the viewer’s aggressive behavior when dealing with real life situations (Comstock, 1978, p. 188). Statistics can back up both sides of the issue, and so can emotions. The issue of the affects of television violence on our nation’s youth is a very heavy and controversial topic with many possible conclusions."
Tags: aggression, crime, fighting, graphic, kids, mean, tv, world
