This paper discusses nursing theory, specifically in regards to self-care facilitated by Dorothy Orem's model and the mid-range theory of the community health model.
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of nursing theory as not simply a philosophical abstraction, but as also useful for the demands for "description, explanation, prediction and control" during nursing work and study. Having a background in nursing theories can prove helpful because theories give clues as to what to ask, what to observe, what to focus on and what to think about when a nurse is under pressure or dealing with a noncompliant patient. The paper asserts that even grand theories have a practical emphasis. They can offer validation of the patient's cultural differences and self-empowerment and actualization through facilitating patient self-care. Self-care facilitation is a stress in many of the grand theories, as Orem's theory likewise attempts to address self-care deficits such as patient noncompliance with a dietary or physical fitness regime. There is always inevitable overlap between models, as contemporary nursing models and grand theories all strive to be limited to a focus on problems in nurse-patient situations or problems in person-environment interaction to be of use in practitioners in the field. Furthermore, the paper looks at the use of middle range theories in nursing, which some assert are more useful and more easily tested in practice. These mid-range theories act as subsidiaries of grand theories, and draw a great deal of their philosophy from grand theories. The major categories of knowledge reflected in different contemporary nursing models and grand theories, which include needs-based approaches, interaction-based approaches, outcome-focused approaches and humanistic approaches can be placed through the use of mid-range theories in a very specific context, such as pain management, or health promotion.
From the Paper "Orem places a strong emphasis on exercise and physical activity that the patient can achieve him or herself. In the Community Empowerment Model, the nurse can provide counseling how to achieve such goals in the context of the patient's specific community and cultural environment (Extract from "Medicare Primary and Consumer Directed Care Demonstration: Health Promotion Nurse Intervention Model," 2002). The importance of exercise is directly derived from Orem's stress upon the need for the nurse to help the patient with such basic self-care modalities as nutrition, hygiene (including better sleep hygiene), mobility (including exercise), medication, and more empowered behavior. Orem also stresses patient empowerment in the context of direct nursing care, where the nurse has direct contact with client and/or family, along with Orem's the belief that self-care deficits are the result of environmental situations (Mayo, 1997).
"The environmental impact upon self-care also illustrates how the Community Empowerment Middle Range theory springs directly from Orem's influence, along with the pragmatic and humanist philosophical influences gave birth to Orem's stress upon patient empowerment during the entire process of treatment. The Community Empowerment Model also incorporates multiculturalism into its philosophy. Both theories share the logical positivist emphasis which stresses situations and context dictating the course of treatment, and the importance of taking into consideration the environment of the patient."
Tags: self-care facilitation Orem, mid-range theory, community health model, treatment
A review and discussion regarding four different criminal theories: differential association theory, strain theory, routine activity theory, and a feminist theory.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper examines four critical theories that have been developed in order to study criminal behavior in human societies. Each of the theories discussed in this paper have been chosen from a wide list of options and are part of a separate classification group. The four theories that this paper identifies are differential association theory, strain theory, routine activity theory, and a feminist theory.
From the Paper "Criminology is a wide field devoted to the theoretical study of crime, of its causes, of its relationship to the law, and of its relationship to human communities. In a way, crime affects all human societies at very fundamental levels. That such a powerful force should spawn a critical discipline devoted to its study is not surprising. Once it became an academic discipline it is even less surprising that critics and theorists have been unable to agree upon a theoretical framework that encompasses all aspects of criminology. Instead, criminology has been divided, over the years, into a number of critical theories that sometimes complement one another and other times are at odds with each other."
Abstract Social Structure Theories and Social Processes Theories are often used interchangeably. This essay highlights the fundamental differences outlining social structure and social process theories. In order to compare these theories, the paper draws attention to the various theories of juvenile delinquency and the difference of perspective involved and the obtrusive causes outlined by the distinct theories for engagement in criminal acts at a young age. Two different theories are presented attempting to explain juvenile delinquency, presenting various facets of adolescent criminal behavior and the possible causes of such behavior.
From the Paper "One of the major challenges faced by the law-making authorities of the United States today is the reduction of juvenile delinquency and to increase the effectiveness of lawful regulations in the country. The alarming augmentation in crime rate at adolescent echelon is the most worrisome problem facing America therefore researchers and experts of the related field have developed various theories regarding juvenile delinquency outlining motivations and reasons behind the existence and the frequency of crime at juvenile stage. In order to well-comprehend the perspective of various philosophies related to juvenile delinquency, it is highly essential to know what juvenile delinquency is about."
Abstract This essay discusses broad nursing theory and mid-range theory. The specific theories that are used as examples are comfort theory (mid-range) and self care deficit theory (broad theory). The paper shows that both theories are constructive to nursing, but that mid-range theory allows experimentation and solid conclusions.
Abstract In this article, the writer first discusses that most researchers believed that during the 1950s the topics that were not raised consistently as influences on educational theories like racial discrimination, status of women, etc., had more drastic effect than the issues that were addressed. The writer then relates that educational theories were more specialized and respected in the 1960s than any other on the basis of the incorporation of assessment procedures that guaranteed impartiality, lucidity, and practical inflexibility. Further, the writer notes that Thomas Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions in 1970 basically brought forth the notion of competition that was singly the most influential concept in the coming decades. The writer points out that the decade of the 1980s saw feminism, neo-Marxist notion, and the first drafts of the postmodern theory being considered as legal areas of concern in the sphere educational philosophy. Finally, the writer notes that the 1990s brought around tragedy, feelings of loss and uncertainty among the societies. The writer concludes that in the future, one can hope that the reforms and incorporations that have been made over the past decades in the education theories yield fruitful results by enhancing educational standards and efficiency of the execution of education philosophies.
Outline:
Educational Theory and Philosophy during 1950s
Educational Theory and Philosophy during 1960s
Educational Theory and Philosophy during 1970s
Educational Theory and Philosophy during 1980s
Educational Theory and Philosophy during 1990s
Conclusion
From the Paper "There were also quite a few articles that chose to concentrate only the numerous problems or aspects of the education policies present like the level of educational liberty available to both the students and the teachers, the educational as well as peripheral responsibilities of the academic management. An example of an essay of this format is the article written by Willard Spalding who was the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Illinois at the time. He in this article tried to design a completely fresh notion and theory of training the teachers. He believed that this could be achieved by invalidating what he believed to be the conservative or traditional comprehension of the association amid the traits and various units of education. He followed the viewpoint first brought forth by Aristotle that regarded the numerous units as the primary factors whereas the traits as the secondary factors. Spalding supported this viewpoint because he believed that this led to a more lucid understanding of the society's needs and requirements for the educational standards, temperaments and policies."
Abstract This paper examines the many theories and processes of contemporary management theory and explains the benefits and drawbacks of implementing these theories. The paper explains two of these theories - contingency theory and systems theory - in detail. The writer discusses how all of the contemporary management theories are somehow related to another. The writer then suggests that in order to understand these differences, organizations must become a 'learning organization' and be efficient in their knowledge management. The writer further notes that there are limitations to some of these theories as they are still currently being researched, developed and revised as time passes. The writer concludes that the beauty of contemporary management theory is that it allows us to combine, experiment and find best alternatives in dealing with today's managerial problems.
From the Paper "Management has been around since the beginning of human civilization, way back to the Egyptian times. The earlier years of the last century gave birth to the first theories in approaching management, which we today classify as the classical perspective. During that time management theorists "conceptualise organisations as machines, and workers as cogs within those machines" (Davidson et al. 2006, p. 21). This view gradually evolved into behavioural perspectives theories. The behavioural theories incorporated the elements of "individual attitudes and behaviours" as well as the "group processes" (Davidson et al. 2006, p. 22). At present we now look at management at a contemporary perspective. Contemporary theories "seek to derive value for the organisation" (Davidson et al. 2006, p. 26) by trying to interpret the "today's organizational environments" through the use of past and current perspectives."
An assessment of the implications of the use of major theories in educational psychology in literacy teaching and how these theories are implemented to evaluate and reflect on ways to improve teaching practices to English speaking students.
Abstract The paper discusses in detail the current approaches to the manner in which people learn and of the classification of these groups. It states there are many theories on learning and how people learn and that there are elements of cross over between many of the theories. The paper explores the factors that can influence the way people learn in relation to learning theories.
Outline:
Introduction
Behaviourism
Learning environment
How this theory relates to my own practice and communication
Cognitive development
Learning environment
How this theory relates to my own practice and communication
Humanism
Learning environment
How this theory relates to my own practice and communication
Gestalt
Learning environment
How this theory relates to my own practice and communication
Ways in which theories and principles of learning and communication will apply to promote inclusive practice
Conclusion
From the Paper "To communicate effectively to all of my learners, I will always bear the Hierarchy of Needs in mind when lesson planning by providing adequate support and resources, including help, respect, and encouragement to assist the various learning styles and domains. This will include sensory learning experiences using facts and general concepts relating to their own culture and background, visual and verbal prompting, experiential learning and time for evaluation and analysis through active reflection, in a detailed structured way "
Tags: learing, teaching, communication, Dewey, humanistic, theory
Abstract The paper discusses how social structure theories attempt to analyze the driving forces that change society and that sociologists who study social change use the study of both criminology and sociology to draw conclusions about criminal behavior. The paper further explains that the three main branches of social structure theories are the social disorganization theory, the social strain theory and the cultural deviance theory. In this paper, the major social structural theories are defined and analyzed. The culmination of this paper addresses the question - How well have social structure theories explained delinquent behavior in society?
From the Paper "The strain theories express the discontent of Americans who fail to achieve the American dream. Crimes committed by white collar, middle class workers can be explained by the strain theories. An example of this is workplace violence, which, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Characteristics accounts for 18 percent of all violent crime between 1993 and 1999 . Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for a worker who was recently fired to return to his old employer to vent his anger by opening fire on anyone in site. Such violence demonstrates how competition to succeed prompts crime as the anomie theory contends."
Abstract Of the four theories of the mass media made famous by Siebert et. al., this essay will focus on two, namely the Authoritarian Theory and the Libertarian Theory. Based on an analysis of the 'Proposed Equation' between ideology as such and the Theories of the Mass Media, this essay delves into a comparison of these two theories.
Abstract The development of Rational Choice Theory in the 20th century arose out of economic theory. Through such thinkers as Homans, Blau and Coleman it has emerged as an important school of thought. The theory focuses upon the rational calculations carried out by individuals guided by self-interest. Post-modernism, another contemporary theory, is in many ways in friction with rational choice theory, for the fundamental capitalist drive espoused by rational choice is seen as nothing but a social construct by the post-modern tradition. Alfred Schutz, a twentieth century phenomenologist, reconciles these two strains of thought to some degree by bringing up the notion of individual perception which encompasses both the social constructs and the drive for self-interest.
Abstract This paper discusses Sutherland's Social Process theories and Hirsch's Social Control theory. It explains why people commit crime according to these theories, discusses the notions behind these theories, discusses their policy implications, and notes how the theories have been modified over the years.
From the Paper "Sutherland's Differential Association Theory suggests that people commit crime by learning in a social context through their interactions with others and communication with them. He believed criminal behavior is learned by interaction with others and this includes learning the techniques of committing the crime and the motives, drives, rationalizations and attitudes for committing it. This is due to their definition of legal codes as being favorable or unfavorable and so if someone believes the legal codes are unfavorable they will be more likely to commit a crime..."
Abstract This paper examines the general theory of crime set forth by Michael R. Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi. The paper delineates what the theory is and then presents a critique of it using the Social Organizational theory. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that Social Organizational theory offers a fairly trenchant rebuttal of some of the careless assumptions made in Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime."
From the Paper "Any critical evaluation of criminal theory is fraught with difficulty insofar as no one explanation satisfactorily explains all of the various reasons why human beings engage in illicit behavior. Be that as it may, the Social Organizational theory comes closer than most to elucidating why human beings often act in the manner they do and it provides a constructive critique of the general theory of crime put forward by respected academics like Gottfredson and Hirschi. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: firstly, the paper will briefly outline what is meant by the "General Theory of Crime" as it most commonly understood. Secondly, the paper will evaluate this theory using the Social Organizational theory that has gained such popularity in recent years."
Abstract An examination of the development of Queer Legal Theory in the 21st Century. This paper considers the benefit of forming alliances with previously well established theories such as: Critical Race Theory and Feminist Legal Theory. The recent development of gay and lesbian communities within mainstream society has contributed to the dismantling of invisibility and isolation. Within these communities, gays and lesbians have begun to seek legal reform in attempts to end the discrimination and oppression aimed at their communities. While QLT provides great promise independently, the potential exists for even greater reform through the joint efforts of Feminist, Critical Race and Queer Legal Theories working together to acknowledge their common oppressors and achieve their common goals.
From the Paper "Within the realm of social sciences there exists a multitude of theories concerning nearly every aspect of human life and interaction. The purpose of these often conflicting or overlapping theories is to provide guidelines for critically examining specific issues of interest. Theories serve to organize and simply information and to guide our perceptions through the process of investigation. Within the domain of law and society, theories help to identify the roots of social conditions, define common goals, and to aid in the understanding of how the law impacts specific social groups and vice versa. Often minority groups develop theories that aim to explain their social condition and which propose methods of law reform targeted at improving their condition. Historically these groups have been isolated, oppressed and discriminated against in both the social and legal spheres. Over time the walls of isolation break down allowing individuals to join others and form sub-cultures and communities. It is with the development of such communities that minority groups begin their uphill battles against oppression and discrimination. The most well known theories originating in this manner are Feminist Theory and Critical Race Theory."
Abstract This paper explores how Berger's Uncertainty Reduction theory is a useful basis for understanding the interaction between two people, especially when they first meet. It is scientific in approach, and therefore like all theories, has some major weaknesses. However, these shortcomings are not enough to make one completely dismiss the theory. The writer believes the theory is a solid basis upon which other theorists can build superior communication theories.
From the Paper "The Uncertainty Reduction Theory, by Charles Berger, is a scientific attempt to explain the interaction between two people, primarily those meeting for the first time. According to Berger, the main goal of each participant in conversation is to predict the reaction of the other person and to reduce the amount of uncertainty that is inherent in a first encounter. Em Griffin, the author of A First Look at Communication, says that Berger "believes it's natural to have doubts about our ability to predict the outcome of initial encounters""the beginnings of relationships are fraught with uncertainties"? (136). Due to this intriguing nature, Berger aims to discover and justify the links behind the interactional process in a scientific framework meanwhile proving that "uncertainty is central to all social interaction" (Griffin 142)."
Tags: axioms, communication, dialogue, human, interaction, psychology, theory
Abstract Organization theory and structure have gained tremendous attention in the past two decades as world changes forced management gurus to find out what kind of organizational structure was required to extract maximum productivity. Social, political and cultural changes have contributed towards formulation of better organizational theories. While each theory claimed to possess a new meaning, they were all based on similar ideas and thus twenty years hence, they would all come to be labeled as postmodern or post-industrial organizational theories. These theories have helped in identifying the factors, which are leading to change, in organizations.
