Abstract This paper takes a look at the influence of the moon on the earth and how it has fascinated mankind throughout history. According to the paper, prior to the present scientific age the moon was considered to have strange and occult powers that could influence human behavior and events in a multitude of different ways.
From the Paper "The question therefore arises as to why certain behaviors have been ascribed to the phases and changes of the moon. The answer to this question in fact reveals the falsity of many lunar myths. One answer is that these myths have their origins in ancient folklore and legends that have been continued in various forms to the present time. For example, the myth about the way that the moon can influence human birth rates can be traced back to the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian beliefs which state that, "A woman is fertile according to the moon." (Carroll R. T. 2005) These views are therefore based on unsubstantiated and pre-scientific opinions of the world and nature and can therefore be seen in the same context as the belief that the world was flat and not round. "
Tags: sea, women, behavior, lunar, full, cycle, patterns, research
Abstract This paper examines the effects of four diverse sociological constructs and assesses their influence on behavior. The constructs chosen are gender, ethnicity, personality traits and religion. It also examines four personality types and the behaviors associated with them, the effects of religion on adolescents, the effects of Asian belief and culture on sexuality and sexual knowledge and finally gender based conversation practices and their implications for behavioral influences.
From the Paper "This paper presents a brief exploration into how significant various diverse sociological concepts are on behavior. Four separate issues were examined: personality traits, gender, religion and ethnicity. Research results for all areas were significant; leading to the conclusion that these sociological diverse categories do influence behavior. Whether a parent instills strong religious values in their child, pays more attention and display more emotion toward their infant daughters as opposed to their infant sons, raises their children in a rural vs. an urban setting or whether the individual is raised as a member of a culturally strict country, influences on behavior are an important construct that we must recognize and account for in all areas, from our business dealings (especially with the growing global economic market) to our daily interpersonal activities, like going to Starbucks and meeting the new barista. "
Abstract This paper describes and discusses a psychology experiment where positive reinforcement is used in an attempt to modify behavior. The experiment concerns dish washing behavior and notes that positive reinforcement did have a significant effect on behavior.
From the Paper "A single subject design was used to determine the effects of positive reinforcement on dish washing behavior. The subject for the study was the investigator's roommate and the study took place at the investigator's apartment, which is shared with the roommate. Findings showed that the positive reinforcement had a significant effect on dish washing behavior, however this effect was lost when the positive reinforcement was removed."
Tags: Positive Reinforcement, research design, behavior modification
Abstract This paper examines how human behavior impacts organizations and how organizations, in turn, impact human behavior. The paper details this reciprocal influence by analyzing the manufacturing company, Jurox. The paper first describes the behavior of managers, including an explanation of why managers behave as they do, followed by a consideration of how the behavior of managers impacts both organizational processes and actions and other employees. The paper then provides an overview showing how behavior of managers, organizational characteristics, employee behavior, and organizational processes and actions are all linked.
From the Paper "The first step is to consider the specific behaviors of managers. This consideration begins with the general manager. The general manager's behavior involves having a strong focus on the organization's operations by constantly reviewing facts and figures, while having little focus on understanding actual operations. This essentially involves a desk-management approach where the general manager constantly reviews the company's operations and then responds when problems are noted. This approach does not include having a practical understanding of operations. The general manager also has an approach where he demands that action be taken, rather than asking for explanations. This includes that if he is given explanations, he reacts by suggesting that managers are making excuses. The impact of these actions on the managers is that they have no means of responding well when problems occur."
Tags: departments, operate, effectively, general, control, task-focused, people-focused
Abstract This paper details a study conducted to examine the effects of religion on behavior in elementary students to see if any correlation is evident. The study was conducted under the assumption that religion does, in fact, have an influence on the behaviors of young subjects. The primary hypothesis of the study is that subjects are more likely to show positive behaviors if they participate in religious activities. The results reported indicate that there is a significant statistical correlation between religious activity and positive behavior in females, but not in males.
From the Paper "The results suggested that there was a significant relationship between previous religious activity and classroom behavior. The hypothesis was that previous religious activity would lead to a better rating of behavior in the classroom setting. In the study, 85% of the subjects reported having previously had religious activities (17 subjects), whereas 15% (3 subjects) had not. Of the sample of 12 girls and 8 boys, 10 females had obtained religious instruction or participated in religious activity, as had 7 boys. Two females and 1 male had not previously received religious instruction or had not participated in religious activities. When corresponded with the instructor's evaluation of behaviors, it was concluded that the females who had received previous religious instruction or had participated in religious activities were more like to show more positive behaviors, whereas the males showed no difference in behaviors between the two groups."
An overview of cognitive behavior therapy, focusing on the roles of the therapist and patient and how it compares to other therapies used in psychology.
3,720 words (approx. 14.9 pages), 6 sources, 2006, $ 133.95
Abstract This paper discusses cognitive behavioral therapy and the elements of its practice. It also explores the therapist and patient roles of cognitive behavioral therapy, and how it relates to other therapies currently used in psychology. Adlerian therapy, person centered therapy, existential therapy, Gestalt therapy, reality therapy, solution oriented brief therapy, multi-modal therapy, feminist therapy, and rational emotion behavior therapy are discussed and contrasted to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. Through these comparisons a focus on the central characteristics of these therapies is evident, providing a framework for patients and professionals to determine which therapy would be most effective for the needs of particular patients.
Abstract This paper summarizes a research proposal to determine what links exist between alcoholism as a learned behavior (rather than as a condition arising from any genetic predisposition) and self-esteem. This research is based upon the assumption that there is a direct connection between self-esteem and learned behaviors. Drawing from the recent work of a number of other researchers, this research argues that because alcoholism is, in large measure, a learned behavior it has a substantial negative effect upon the self-esteem of alcoholics who blame themselves for their drinking and, understanding the harm that they are doing to themselves and to those around them, suffer from lowered self-esteem.
From the Paper "Our attitudes about alcoholism have changed dramatically over the last fifty years as our conception of the condition ? which causes so much harm and so much grief to so many people, including both the alcoholics themselves and to others ? as one that was a matter of complete free will to a question of genetics. That pendulum is slowly swinging back now to viewing alcoholism as a learned behavior, although there is little doubt that there is some element of genetic predisposition to the condition. This research proposes to answer the question of whether the learned aspects of alcoholism are more significant than the genetic elements of it and, if so, how this fact should affect the way in which social workers treat alcoholics and their families."
Abstract This paper explains that, contrary to popular understanding, there is no unique style of leadership for all situations, and the leader needs to be flexible and change his approach on a case-to-case basis. The author points out three elements that are seen common to most definitions of leadership. First, leadership is fundamentally a social phenomenon; second, leadership results in changing activities and structuring relationships and, third, to be categorized as a leader, the person must be recognized as having a higher ability to influence decisions. The paper states that there are five key leadership challenges that form important components of the leadership role: reframe the future; develop commitment; teach and learn; build community; and balance paradox.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Case Study
Behavioral Theory
Contingency Theory
Transformational Theory
Analysis of the CEO's Leadership Style
Challenges to Leadership
From the Paper "Case Study: I am the Business Development Manager for a software company that has operations in many countries and delivers cutting-edge real time solutions to many leading international companies. After years of growth, the company at the start of year 2003, found itself riddled with many problems and faced a possible impedance of growth. While the company continued to enjoy the confidence of most of its major customers and thus repeat businesses, there was a significant reduction in income from new business opportunities. Competition was gobbling up new contracts by aggressive marketing, pricing and promising better deliverables. With the passing of every quarter, profitability was showing a negative growth and many felt that it was only a matter of time before the company slipped into losses. One fine Monday morning, the news hit us that the existing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was stepping down and a new CEO would shortly take his place. The new CEO, a rather youngish man in his early forties, joined the company in April 2003. Within six months of taking over the mantle, the new CEO had successfully managed to turnaround the company's performance by solving most of the problems. Sales growth rate was back on track and expected to increase further, costs were down and profits started climbing. What was more visible was the improvement in motivation at almost all levels across the organization and better team work. In my assessment, the new CEO's leadership qualities were chiefly responsible for this remarkable improvement in the company's performance."
Abstract The paper provides statistics on how television has invaded our homes and goes on to discuss how it not only influences children's behavior, but is detrimental to their health and academic performance. The paper details the negative values and behaviors taught by the television and asserts that it is about time we realize television's power and turn it off.
From the Paper "It has been debated and proven by numerous studies that watching television negatively affects its audience. Not only does it influence a person's behavior, but television is detrimental to one's health and academic performance. Most significantly, these effects are more evident among children. Such effects have brought much concern among parents as well as concerned citizens in the society, as they clamor for attention and much needed regulation of television programs and advertisements."
Tags: media, health, behavior, values, violence, sex
Abstract A descriptive essay about the effects of Alzheimer's Disease and how to best treat the patients. The author discusses the mental, behavioral and emotional difficulties experienced by carriers of the disease, exposing the roles to be played by the caretakers.
From the Paper "Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive disease affecting an estimated 4 million people in the United States. According to GW Small in a consensus view on Alzheimer's Disease, ?between 6% and 8% of all persons over 65 have the disease.?(1) Caring for a parent with Alzheimer's Disease can be one of the most challenging positions a person can experience. The person who was once the primary caregiver is now dependent on the child as their caregiver. Although the caregiver still loves this parent, she begins to dislike and resent the person her parent has become. The behavior changes associated with Alzheimer's Disease can cause embarrassment and anger at the parent's behavior. This confusion in emotions can cause much anguish for the caregiver. The immediate family will also be affected by Alzheimer's Disease as well. Children and spouses may feel neglected because they?re not receiving the caregiver's full attention. The caregiver should prepare herself by knowing what the impaired person can and cannot do and anticipating problems by planning ahead. The caregiver should also know where to go for help. Family or another means of support become a necessity. Alzheimer's Disease is a debilitating disease that can rob not only the quality of life from the victim, but the caregiver as well. Knowing what to expect and how to respond will help the caregiver function successfully in her role."
Tags: sick, ill, old, elder, care, patient, hospital, mental, emotional, slow, behavior, doctor
Abstract This paper discusses the use of behavior modification as a disciplinary practice in public schools. It describes the method of discipline employed by behavior modification. The paper looks at techniques and strategies and the effectiveness of the methods.
Abstract This paper looks at the effect of hormonal imbalances on human behavior. The paper looks at thyroid, adrenal, gonadal and placental hormones, PMS, PND, and the chemical basis for how hormones cause depression and other behavioral changes.
Abstract This paper looks at how the social environment affects criminal behavior. It explores how the effects of peer and family relationships can lead to criminal behaviors such as violence, delinquency and drug abuse.
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 whatever its nature 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 ..."
Abstract This paper looks at how behavioral psychology, known as behaviorism, holds the view that overt actions are the only respectable phenomena available for psychological investigation; conversely, behaviorists reject internal psychological activity as a subject of study. The author points out that a salient and integral feature of behavioral philosophy is its belief that psychology, in order to be rightfully considered a natural science, must abide by the practices to which other established sciences, such as biology and chemistry, already adhere. It also discusses how its chief weakness revolves around its narrow scope, which reduces humans to mere automatons by simply ignoring phenomena such as emotion, instinct, cognitive processes, self-actualization and language development.
From the Paper "As acknowledged previously, behavioral psychology is outcome oriented. Consequently, it is not unexpected that its main objective is manipulation of human behavior. Therefore, in addition to anticipating actions, behaviorists believe that conduct can be controlled. To this end, investigative practices include manipulating variables and documenting resultant behaviors. Furnished with the outcomes of such experiments, behavioral psychologists modify human actions via conditioning. That is, new behavior or learning is facilitated through a proscribed set of circumstances."
Abstract This paper discusses borderline personality disorder (BPD), a complex and severe psychopathology that is characterized by the presence of certain instabilities. According to the paper, the most commonly practiced interventions for the treatment of BPD are psychodynamic programs and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The paper goes on to review DBT, which is based on dialectical philosophy and a biosocial theory of BPD.
Outline:
Mechanisms of Change in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Research Supporting DBT
The Effectiveness of DBT in Males Versus Females
DBT Intervention Development
From the Paper "The benefits of DBT experienced by individuals with BPD may be enhanced through accompanied administration of psychopharmaceutical medication. Soler et al. (2005) examined the combined effects that DBT and olanzapine have on psychiatric symptoms experienced by individuals with BPD. Results of the study showed that this combined treatment was associated with significant improvements in anxiety, depression and aggressive/impulsive behavior in comparison to a placebo group. The researchers suggested that this combination therapy of DBT and olanzapine acts to lower attrition rates and is an overall effective treatment for BPD (Soler et al., 2005). Other pharmaceuticals may not prove to be so beneficial. A study by Simpson et al. (2004) demonstrated that the addition of fluoxetine to an already effective DBT treatment program is not additionally beneficial."
