Western Civilization Review for Rome exam

Macedonian professional army-advantages Included a wide range of specialists, strict dullness and elongation of large numbers of noncombatant servants 2. Battle of Charlene- ended Greek city state freedom once and for all. 3. Philip of Macedon- by his death he had installed his despotic rule throughout Greece 4. Alexander-was motivated by the desire for personal power and glory 5. Despotism-absolute power- of authority of rulers who represented themselves as at least semi-divine 6. Hellenic age government- the dominant form In lands conquered by Alexander except mainland Greece was despotism 7.Hellene economics- was generally prosperous owing to the growth of trade, the emergence of an International money economy, & rice of cities 8. Cynics- philosophical movement that advocated a natural and self sufficient life 9. Stoics- argued that all events are rigidly determined and that therefore no individual is in control of his or her destiny 10. Democratic- Greek thinker that founded mate rialistic atomics and epicureans basic beliefs 1 1 . Epicureans- taught that the state Is a mere convenience that absolute justice Is a fiction, and no wise man would take an active part In politics. 12.Skepticism-believed hat we cannot prove anything 13. Hellenic Religion- personal emotional religions, elaborate ritual & salvation 14. Matthias- a lieutenant of Agrarianism's omnipotent god Aura-Mazda 15. Mathis- appealed to the lower classes because it offered an elaborate ritual and promise of salvation 16. Populous- historian who argued that nations pass through predictable cycles of growth and decay 17. Utopias- descriptive accounts of Ideal states 18. Corinthian column- very ornate signature of Hellene. Arch. 19. Hellene sculpture- contained extreme naturalism, the desire to create something unique, and exaggerated postures 20.Almagest- heavenly bodies revolved around the earth, classic ancient astronomy 21 . Euclid- master of geometry 22. Elements of Geometry- by Euclid, until sass's was the accepted basic study of math 23. Horseshoes of Chalcedony- breakthroughs In medicine 24. Restaurants founder of physiology and separate science 25. Archimedes- physical, experimental science 26. Roman geography- easy to invade, militarism 27. Etruscan-skilled metal worked, trades, gods human form, respect for women 28. Senate- council of elders, veto power over royal 29. Consuls-lobbyist- senators acting for the royals 30.Roman religion-served to benefit and protect state 31 . Punic Wars-increased roman territory, expansion, legal changes good for wives 32. Karachi Brothers- for social economics- gob land for the landless 33. Julius Caesar- unused land for economic inequities, unite Rome/loyalty, saw significance of NW Europe 34. On The Nature of Things- Lucrative – roman poet, removed fear of supernatural, peace of mind 35. Cicero- Stoic philosopher program incentives for provinces, elimination of tax farming 38. Marcus Aurelia's- last roman Stoics, not helpfu l 39. Roman Literature- golden age, vigorous and uplifting, silver age less calm, lanced 40.Roman Arch- Participate period, symbolized power 41 . Crisis of Third Century- civil war, economic chaos, disease 42. Neo-Platonism- emanation, asceticism, mysticism 43. Romeos decline- political, economic, cultural failings led to collapse. Contributions: a. Architecture: monumental, symbol power grandeur, round arch, vault, dome, brick, stone, concrete, , pantheon & coliseum b. Sculpture reaches, columns, relief, altars, busts, statues. Individuality & naturalism. Vanity, aristocracy, portraiture busts- humanity. C. Roman Law: civil law: for roman city, law of the people, for all commonalities and natural law.Augustus. D. Romeos contribution to future – transmission of Greek civilization to W Europe 1 . Neolithic Period- change- hunting/ gathering to sedentary agriculture 2. Ice Age- species disappear from W Asia 3. Nutcracker Man-advanced ape walked erect 4. Villages- sedentary agri culture 5. Near East-first seed agriculture group 6. History/pre-history- written records 7. Warfare began with a surplus of material goods/food 8. Hyssop invade Egypt-foreigners attack/ lead to Egypt empire 9. Papyrus- leaf/ paper Egg freedom to write/literature 10. Manner- Unified the Egypt nation 1 1 .Egypt contributions- monotheism- writing systems, monumental arch 12. Senator's artistic revolution- naturalist cycle 13. Egypt women- owned property 14. Old kingdom, Egypt, changed economy, public-works Jobs during flood season for farmers 15. Nubian- notions of kingship & religion 16. Ethiopia- embraced Christianity as state religion 17. Summer- S Mesopotamia 18. Sarong the Great- Summer under Skidpan domination for 2 centuries 19. Sumerian economic/political decline- colonization 20. Gujarat- Sumerian temple terraced tower, shrine 21 . Hebrew contributions- history, literature, ethics, religion 22.Ancient Assyrian- hated nation, people revolt-destroy 23. Saul- Hebrew, monarchical gob, coronation of first king 24. Epic of Galoshes- secular philosophy of life, affirmed human experience/action on earth 25. Chanceries- mighty and seal his military victories, constructed Nineveh 26. Salmon's Temple-N tribes seceded from Hebrew state 27. Indus Valley Civilization- urban society/sops trade 28. Zoroastrian- one supreme god- Aura-Mazda 29. Trojan War- commercial/ between Aegean trading rivals/ cause piracy 30. Heimlich Schlemiels- showed Homer's Iliad fact 31 . Mycenae- geared toward warfare 32.Greek Philosophical control to W Civic- truth from Q 34. Greek Dark Ages Politics- held by kings & warriors 35. Spartan- political sys based on checks and balances 36. Peloponnesus War- destruction of city and state/ Athens 37. Greek medicine- disease has natural cause 38. Helots-slave farm laborers mostly Spartan 39. Calisthenics- 1st real democracy in Athens 40. Herodotus- Father of history 41 . Plato- higher spiritual realm, elitist state ruled by philosophers 42. Philip o f Macedon- despotic/dictator rule throughout Greece 43. Macedonian professional army- specialist, discipline, eliminated many servants 44.Alexander- motivated by desire, power, glory 45. Epicureans-Taught state convenience, absolute Justice fiction, no wise man/ politics 46. Solon- Paid political positions- wealth/birth 47. Hellenic sculpture- naturalism, unique, exaggerated postures 48. Wholesale of Chalcedony- breakthroughs medicine 49. Battle of Charlene- Greek city/state freedom 50. On The Nature of Things- Lucrative – roman poet, removed fear of supernatural, peace of mind 51 . Romans pass cultural contributions borrowed from the Greeks 52. Roman geography- easy to invade, militarism 53.Karachi Brothers- for social economics- gob land for the landless 54. Sprat's Lesson- cannot afford to ignore cultural pursuits while seeking military control 55. Ancient Roman Plebeians' victories- greater share in gob, admission to the assembly 56. Roman religion-served to benefit and p rotect state 57. Romans, Etruscan, Greeks, dominated Italian peninsula before sixth century 58. Punic Wars-increased roman territory, expansion, legal changes good for wives 59. Julius Caesar- unused land for economic inequities, unite Rome/loyalty, saw significance of NW Europe 60. Roman Arch- Participate period, symbolized power

Air Pollution

Imagine that the air that you are breathing may be killing you †¦ well, no need to Imagine as this is the ugly truth. Air pollution is an intractable problem that we have noticed since the industrial revolution and it has increased over the years to become one of our time’s biggest issues. While some air pollution is a result of natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, most is caused by human activities. The first major cause of air pollution is car exhausts which lead to about 50 % of the total air pollution.The second major pollutant is Nitrogen oxides. And last is Sulpher dioxide. But wait!.. Those three are not just the only air pollutants, the causes can be many to name, e. g. fertilizer dust, cement dust, pesticides †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ etc The health effects caused by air pollutants can be drastic. Doctors and researchers have uncovered several diseases that seem to be caused by air pollution, including asthma, lung cancer and heart diseases. Along with harming human h ealth, air pollution can cause a variety of environmental effects, e. g. cid rain, ozone depletion, crop and forest damage and global climate change. There are now various air pollution control technologies and strategies available to help reduce it, People are encouraged now more than ever before to use non-polluting renewable forms of energy and lots of countries have established new legislation concern the protection of the environment. In conclusion, I feel that all the previous solutions go some way to offering a lasting solution to the problem of air pollution and hope to prove workable soon before it’s too late for us and for our planet. Air Pollution Imagine that the air that you are breathing may be killing you †¦ well, no need to Imagine as this is the ugly truth. Air pollution is an intractable problem that we have noticed since the industrial revolution and it has increased over the years to become one of our time’s biggest issues. While some air pollution is a result of natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, most is caused by human activities. The first major cause of air pollution is car exhausts which lead to about 50 % of the total air pollution.The second major pollutant is Nitrogen oxides. And last is Sulpher dioxide. But wait!.. Those three are not just the only air pollutants, the causes can be many to name, e. g. fertilizer dust, cement dust, pesticides †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ etc The health effects caused by air pollutants can be drastic. Doctors and researchers have uncovered several diseases that seem to be caused by air pollution, including asthma, lung cancer and heart diseases. Along with harming human h ealth, air pollution can cause a variety of environmental effects, e. g. cid rain, ozone depletion, crop and forest damage and global climate change. There are now various air pollution control technologies and strategies available to help reduce it, People are encouraged now more than ever before to use non-polluting renewable forms of energy and lots of countries have established new legislation concern the protection of the environment. In conclusion, I feel that all the previous solutions go some way to offering a lasting solution to the problem of air pollution and hope to prove workable soon before it’s too late for us and for our planet.

Decision Making Process Paper Week One

Decision Making Process Paper Week One MGT 230 Decision making is part of a person’s every day daily routine. We all wake up and have to decide what we are going to wear for the day. Some of us may even decide not to get ready at all. The magnitude of peoples’ decisions is dependent on many factors. It is important to thoroughly analyze a situation before making decisions. My family and I had lived in Newport News, Virginia for about three years. My wife and I had rented our homes ever since we got married.In 2009, I finally received military orders to be stationed back home in beautiful Coronado, California in San Diego County. We had a common obstacle, where in San Diego did we want to live and did we really want to rent? â€Å"There’s no question that buying a house makes sense for some folks, but mainly for non-financial reasons. Owning a home gives you stability (you’re not at the mercy of a landlord) and freedom (you can do what you want with the pl ace). But financially, it’s not always the best bet. † (Roth [insert & â€Å"comma† and â€Å"Snell†] 2012) We had to figure out if owning was for us.First we went through all of our finances and determined how much dispensable income we had. Fortunately, we didn’t have much debt which gave us a pretty large positive margin between our income and our debts. We then determined how much we would likely spend on variable expenses such as gasoline, entertainment, utilities, etc. Once we determined how much we could afford to pay for rent or a mortgage, we immediately wrote a list of all the cities we wanted to live in San Diego according to school districts and safety for our children.Next we did rental searches and price searches for home in the cities we wanted to live in to get an idea of how much we would be paying for rent or a mortgage and if it was within our allowable spending limit. â€Å"The third stage of decision making involves determining the value or adequacy of the alternatives that were generated. In other words, which solution will be the best? † (Bateman, [insert â€Å"&† before comma†] Snell 2011) From this point, we had to determine which solution would work best for us.This narrowed down our search to two cities, and we realized that renting a home would cost just as much as owning a house that we would be happy with. We contacted a realtor that was recommended by my parents and began our search for a new house. During the time of our house search, there was a tax stimulus that we wanted to take advantage of for first time home buyers, but there was only a couple of months left in the program and I only had two weeks to look at houses and have an accepted offer.Also, if we didn’t choose a house before I left, we would have lost our opportunity to take advantage of the tax credit that was available to first time home buyers. We felt very rushed, looked at a handful of houses and quic kly put an offer in for the best one we saw due to time restraints. I flew back to Virginia from leave and found out our offer was accepted. We closed escrow in a month and my family moved into our new house. It was an exciting time in our lives. Chapter three’s Managerial Decision Making similarly resembles our decision making process when we decided to buy our first home with the exception of a couple steps.We didn’t quite discover a problem as stated for a first step in the decision making process, but we did determine that buying a home would be a better overall decision for us. The book’s second and third steps were similar to ours because we did generate another solution which was to rent, and we did evaluate each solution carefully by considering our finances and our desired living locations. In correlation to the books fourth step, we mistakenly ended up satisficing [insert â€Å"&† before comma†] and chose the first house that met our needs and achieved our goal.We implemented our decision by putting an offer in and buying the house. After the entire process, we have many regrets and have determined what we will do next time we purchase a house. The next time around, I would want to implement the step of â€Å"making a choice† a lot better. Instead of satisficing [check spelling] I would want to maximize our choice by taking our time and finding a handful of houses that suit our needs before deciding on purchasing again. Especially in this time where foreclosures and short sales are a dime a dozen, there are many properties to take advantage from.Decision making is very important in our daily lives and even minute decisions can change our future drastically. It is very important to carefully assess and make decisions. References Bateman, T. , Snell, S. (2011). Management: Leading & Collaborating in a Competitive World (9th Ed. ). (pp. 91-92). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Roth, J. (2012, December 03). Is it better to rent or to buy? Time Business & Money. Retrieved March 30, 2013, from http://business. time. com/2012/12/03/is-it-better-to-rent-or-to-buy/

Children Act 1989 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Children Act 1989 - Essay Example The Act emphasizes that, where possible, children should participate in decision-making about their future well being. Subject only to the child's understanding, such participation requires that a child is provided with relevant information and is consulted at every stage in the process of decision-making. It is the general duty of every Local Authority to: Safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need and So far as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of such children by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children's needs and design it to help prevent abuse and neglect. The keynote to achieving this aim is careful joint planning and agreement in the provision of services within the family home, assisting and enhancing the parental authority. As per the Children Act relative to the Department of constitutional affairs, since the act and the strategies impact directly upon young people in their own right particularly in areas such as helping the vulnerable and increasing confidence in justice. They also influence the future habits of young people in areas such as proportionate dispute resolution and democratic engagement. As with other stakeholders the DCA benefits from gaining the views of young people on policy in these areas. In view of this, Learning to Listen states that in all government departments: A visible commitment is made to involving children and young people, underpinned by appropriate resources to build a capacity to implement policies of participation. And that The contributions of Children and young people, proportionate to their age and maturity, are taken seriously and acted upon, and feedback from children and young people confirm this.' Giving children and young people an active say in policies ensures that they genuinely meet their needs After all it is the child who will have to live with the outcome of the procedure. The Children Act 1989 states that children's wishes and feelings should be incorporated into the decision-making concerning them. Legally based intervention Children's act 1989 is fully equipped with the legal laws and norms that strengthen the cause of Child welfare. These legal intervention are mostly carried out in assistance of Local authority Duty to Investigate -

CASE STUDY Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Case Study Example The main goals are to cater the needs of visitors by providing them a virtual access to its product via the website. Additionally, Wrangler wanted to marketise its brand and various products. Undoubtedly, the world is fast changing with a rapid speed of technology. In order to catch up with this speed; in addition to physical existence, virtual existence is unavoidable to marketise, to promote products, and to provide a convenient way to people to shop virtually. 1. Wrangler targets a very specific type of person with its marketing and Web site. How would you describe that group? What risks and benefits do companies assume when they target specific types of individuals? Do you think it pays off for Wrangler? Why? The website categorizes its customers by men, women, boys and girls. Some risks such as a customer may not able to find Jeans fitting to his/her body structure, possibly the customer might be either too slim or too fat. Additionally, different sizes and prizes help customers to select a piece of jeans fitting to choices and physical aspect as well. As a result, by assessing the possibilities, the companies become in a position to determine and marketise the most common sizes and prices of products. A shopper may become confused to locate the relevant information from so many visual displays. Many a times, shoppers do not like the extra display of visuals that they consider unnecessary. In that case, shopper may find it difficult to locate its wanted piece and consequently unable to shop. There can be no specific product that can be suited for such marketing approach. However, the important thing is that significant but common product information must always be there to help shoppers to locate and shop

Nursing Eduaction Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nursing Eduaction - Literature review Example Nursing programs have been implemented in various countries to adhere to set codes with the standards set in the organized system. In the planning of the lectures, there needs to be the careful planning of the available resources within these institutions to ensure best practice delivered to support the course. Without the paramount provisions, there may be reduced understanding of the course. Like the other professional courses, nursing has been regarded as a leading profession in the medicine industry because they offer the cushion needed to patients, and to the doctors whose services are immense within the hospitals. Nurses have been assigned particular roles in the treatment industry because of their involvement in ensuring security and sustenance of the patient. The delicate group has offered challenges in best practice and there needs to be the careful selection of strategies in implementing their curriculum. With the complex course increasing within the society, evidence has b een placed that, with the best teaching methods, successful nurses have been created. Best way to teach nursing lectures Before enrollment within a university that offers nursing course and lessons, the individual must be capable of handling designated duties to depict responsibility. The nurse bears the role of careful selection of methods that favor adequate conditions towards recovery. Nurses have been mandatory in the medical profession because they dedicate their effort to offering the needed base for easier performance within the institutions. The best nurses are those that have undergone through the needed learning and practice procedure to present measures that contribute to adequate service delivery. Before the individual is considered a qualified nurse, they must be accorded with the right documentation to prove their qualification to the profession. The licensure is gained after completing educational qualifications that are presented in accredited learning institutions. These guidelines have been the affirmative measures included in the state to stop under qualified individuals from offering the services. To achieve the license, there needs to be the development of best measures that promise to increase efficiency within institutions to ensure delivery of best nurses in the industry (Smith & Fitzpatrick 2006, p58). To qualify for the nursing profession, the requirements are varied for the existing nurses. Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) are required to complete an issued qualification in the formal education program with a suitable training program. The provision included to becoming advanced nurses has been included in holding the masters degree qualification. The organizations that offer the nursing profession in technical schools, community colleges and accredited institutions need to offer practical lessons in clinics and hospitals. This is mandatory to familiarize the candidate with the environment that they would work in after graduation. Ho wever, to present the desired experience, the students need to be motivated in a busy environment with tough situations. These may be through allocation to public hospitals as compared to private hospitals that hold the best facilities. The lesson in public hospitals may be added as compared to private with a few staff members to share the needed incentive. The assessment on the practical environment

660 questions 11 and 12 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

660 questions 11 and 12 - Assignment Example s in exchange to the things of value, such as rewards, praise, resources or avoidance of disciplinary action; so that they move towards achieving the goals of both the leader and followers (Sashkin and Sashkin, 2003). The difficulties and complications associated with the present state of affairs are explained to the followers. Then, the leaders urge the followers’ value system for bringing about the change. Thus, an emotional bond between the two is formed in transformational leadership. Such bondage ensures long term success to the leader. However, transactional leaders do not address such emotional or personal issues of followers, but motivate them to achieve the required goals in return to a reward or in order to avoid punishment. The emotional bondage is missing and is based on the positional power and influence of leader. The efforts of leaders only gain short term benefits (Hughes and Curphy, 2012). Transformational leaders are visionary and are skilled in creating lasting impressions, thus, exhibit certain leadership capabilities. This clear expression or possession of leadership skills is not found in transactional leaders. Transformational leaders also help the followers draw up a link between the solutions to their individual setbacks and the organizational goals. In the course of leadership, the followers are encouraged to actively participate in the transformational processes and empowered to grow into leaders in future. In contrast, though the benefits accorded to followers motivate the latter to improve their performance, the resultant positive energy is not completely employed towards organization in the upcoming period, as the leaders are not skillful and visionary enough to make such an attempt (Hughes and Curphy, 2012). Both transactional and transformational leaders focus on leader and member exchange, be it the things of value in the former case or emotional exchanges in the latter form. Both the forms of leaders appeal to the needs of the

Should schools require student uniforms Term Paper

Should schools require student uniforms - Term Paper Example In this regard, the aim of the current essay is to propose to the school administrators, parents and students that school uniforms should be prescribed. The discourse would initially present a brief review of literature from previous studies that delved into the subject. Subsequently, some statistical information would be provided to determine how many public or private schools in the United States prescribe wearing school uniforms. In addition, the effects of wearing school uniforms to students’ academic performance and to other variables would be determined and examined. Finally, a concluding portion would firmly establish support for one’s initial contention. Review of Related Literature In a study written by Gentile and Imberman, the authors examined the effects of wearing a prescribed school uniform on the behavior and academic performance of students in a large urban school district in the southwest portion (LUSD-SW) of the country. As disclosed, â€Å"uniforms g enerate improvements in attendance and test scores. These results are particularly strong for girls in middle and high school. We also find evidence that suggests behavioral problems shift towards less severe infractions for both genders in middle and high school. ... The author revealed that there are various benefits for enforcing school uniforms that include focusing on academic pursuits, fostering of a team-like spirit, and creating a more conducive school climate for learning, among others. Likewise, in another article written by Konheim-Kalkstein, the author contended that â€Å"when students dress alike, proponents say, the school climate may be improved† (Konheim-Kalkstein 25). The author likewise looked into other aspects and effects of using school uniform in terms of potentially reducing violence, improving the school climate, and saving money (Konheim-Kalkstein). Statistics on School Uniform Use In the statistics provided in the Statistic Brain website, it facts revealed that 23% of all private and public schools combined in the USA have a clearly defined school uniform policy (School Uniform Statistics). The information was noted to have been verified from the US Department of Education, NCES, ECS, NAESP, and University of Flor ida (School Uniform Statistics). Likewise, uniform sales were noted to have reached $1.1 billion in 2000 and an average annual cost of having the school uniform produced according to the prescribed design is $249 per annum (School Uniform Statistics). The city with the most percentage of schools adhering to a prescribed school uniform in public schools was disclosed as New Orleans (95%); while the city with the smallest percentage of users is Cincinnati at 50% (School Uniform Statistics). It is also interesting to note that from the reasons provided by parents and teachers regarding implementing the use of school uniforms, majority of parents (49%) indicated that â€Å"the school uniform has been financially beneficial for my household†

Outline the main features of the current legal regime for the Essay

Outline the main features of the current legal regime for the exploitation of the International Seabed - Essay Example The United Nations’ resolve was timely to intervene in terms of internationally acceptable legal framework, to assist states to achieve an equitable access to the resources bestowed to these uncertain areas. This study attempts to analyse the features of the current legal regime that touches on the international sea exploitation. It explores internationally set regulations and conventions attempting to introduce control and order over the resources. In the first section, origin of conventions and bodies associated with the control of international seabed exploitation is visited. Perhaps it is appropriate to lay the foundation to the current regulatory framework, by briefly mentioning some of the earliest conventions aimed at introducing order at the international seabed. In line with this, the discourse adopts a chronological order for the conventions, it terms of the date of formulation. The second section explores features of some of the regulations thereon. Current legal regime concerning international seabed could have obtained inspirations from a few international regulations formed several decades before. Perhaps a major development in the 17th century towards the same spirit was the Freedom of the Sea Concept which was generated in the context of orderliness in high seas.1 Later, it was common for such regulations such as the Copenhagen Convention of 1857, whose limited scope of intentions was to introduce order in the handling of access of the Baltic Sea. There was territorial uncertainty in the preceding year, compromising shipping routes, which was resolved by a financial undertaking for Sound and Belt dues handing it over to Denmark.2 The Hague Conference of 1930 was convened with an intention of defining regulations to govern international waters control.3 However, the initial ambition by the LON for creation of an international seabed

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader Essay

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader - Essay Example In this paper, I will examine Gandhi’s transformational leadership style, assessing it to reveal the different dimensions constituting it, such as strengths and flaws. Transformational leadership is one of the most effective leadership styles in the world, but it is also one of the rarest. There are very few transformational leaders in the true sense of the word, both because it is hard to develop and even harder to practice. The most revered and admired leaders in history have been transformational, so this shows how effective this type of leadership can be (Giannantonio & Hurley-Hanson, 2013). The foundation of transformational leadership lies in the fundamental essence of mankind. Human beings are social and emotional beings that need to be shown love and concern. Transformational leadership exploits this aspect of humanity by first developing a connection with people and then motivating and inspiring them both psychologically and morally. Gandhi portrayed himself not as a leader but also a follower. This is one of the primary attributes of transformational leaders. Despite being in a position of authority that allows them to use their powers to their advantage, transformational leaders prefer to live and act like their followers and, in the process, become like their followers. They like to suffer with them, to share their experiences, and to help them surmount the challenges they face as a team. Transformational leaders value unity and peace. Gandhi was not only an inspirational personality; he was also a peace merchant who preached peaceful demonstrations and activism (Molinaro, 2013). Exponents of transformational leadership are also often advocates of peace because it is difficult to cultivate connections with followers if there is no serenity or tranquility to support such an endeavor. It would not be too far-fetched to state that the

Packaging Machinery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Packaging Machinery - Essay Example The most important packaging component means a covering component that is direct contact with the usage outward appearance. A secondary packaging part means a packaging part that is not in direct contact with the usage type. Environmental and human Safety should be considered for any packaging material, for example,: b) Pollution of the contents by the covering, together with those specific cases where the mixture of packaging fabric and contents may cause troubles. The stuffing, where potentially dangerous, should not leak through the packaging due to: be short of a seal (b) wear and tear of the casing caused by the outside influences, such as foreseeable mechanical forces or light (c) weakening of the casing caused by the substance. Where the casing may potentially cause harm and affect safety of the user should be clearly labeled. Consumers in some cases, various groups of users may have unlike, possibly disagreeing, necessities with reverence to opening means. For example, packaging of pharmaceuticals which may be simple to children should have child challenging closures. While the similar closure should be easy for a handicapped person, probably with the help of an assisting device Where possible, the covering and remnants of the substances should be capable of safe dumping by ordinary means, with no long or short term danger to the environment or human beings. Biodegradable resources are preferred. Clear directions on disposal of packaging should be given whenever ordinary means of disposal is unsuitable. Neither the shape nor the size of the packaging should give the wrong impression about the consumer as to the quantity of its contents. Where settling may happen, this information should be visibly stated on the outside of the covering. Three 40 bottom diameter, 105 base tall solid silos accustomed for storing the granulated sugar powder formed in the refinery. Each five million

Genetically Modified Foods Essay Example for Free

Genetically Modified Foods Essay Technology has been responsible for bringing about some of the most noteworthy accomplishments of recent generations. Medical cures for deadly diseases, the World Wide Web, faster and more efficient travel options, and advanced irrigation systems are just a few of the recent successes which have all resulted from better technology. Like anything, though, technology can be problematic at best and detrimental at worst if not employed properly. One recent use of technology which leaves many conscientious people uncomfortable is genetically modified foods (GMF). These new food sources are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO) that have undergone a molecular level change to their DNA by genetically engineering techniques (Gaskill et al. , 1999). Not everyone is convinced that GMF are a positive use of technology. In fact, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) encouraged all physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks† (Edwards, 2013). Many skeptics are concerned with the product’s health risks and environmental impact, along with the repercussions for local farmers, particularly those operating in developing countries. Nearly everyone is affected by GMF in one way or another, but some groups of people are more directly affected than others. They include local farmers, food manufacturers, food purchasers, environmentalists/ conservationists, and government agencies. Due to insufficient scientific data concerning the safety of GMF, and the possible catastrophic consequences resulting from the development and use of this product, they should be highly monitored by government agencies and immediately banned in order to protect the public at large. James P Collins CS 300T 9/30/2013 4 Some studies have shown that GMF are potentially hazardous to consumers, especially children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Many scientists and healthcare professionals argue that GMF are a major contributor to the deteriorating health of people worldwide and possibly even a carcinogen (Edwards, 2013). An increase in blood pressure and heart disease is linked to the consumption of GMF, although these food products are too recent for most researches to be able to conclude anything decisive regarding their long-term effects. Dr. Stanley Ewen, a homeopathic physician, argues that a cauliflower virus oftentimes used in GMF could potentially increase the risk of both colon and stomach cancers. Even if one is able to completely avoid GMF, they are still not safe from the harmful effects. Water sources near crops of GMF are often contaminated by the runoff from the soil. Dr. Ewen maintains that this amount of exposure alone may hasten the growth of malignant tumors (Edwards, 2013). Other studies suggest that animals fed GMF suffer from severe illnesses and die faster than expected. In India, animals that grazed on genetically modified cotton plants died almost immediately. Cows in Germany that ate genetically modified corn products experienced the same fate. Scientists are attributing this phenomenon to GMF’s tendency to produce toxins and suppress the immune system (Kuiper et al, 2001). The Institute for Responsible Technology listed 65 health risks associated with GMF. Rats fed genetically modified potatoes developed precancerous cells in the digestive tract. These rats also showed signs of inhibited development of the brain, liver, and testicles, along with atrophy of the liver and immune system damage. Another study indicated that rats fed Monsanto’s genetically modified corn showed significant changes in their blood cells, livers, and kidneys. Not surprisingly, this mega-company denied James P Collins CS 300T 9/30/2013 5 these findings and refused to conduct follow-up studies to confirm the safety of their food products (65 Health Risks, 2013). A second major drawback of GMF is their negative impact on the environment. As already stated, genetically modified crops pollute soil and water systems. This, in turn, causes adverse consequences on plants and animals (to include humans) that rely on these two natural resources. Insects that live in the soil are oftentimes negatively impacted and die due to chemical changes in the soil composition. The damage to the water affects nearly all animals, as most animals obtain their water from runoff systems (Dill, 2010). Additionally, GMF produce unnatural chemicals that give plants a new way to defend themselves and insects and animals that naturally consume these organisms die. Spiders, caterpillars, and other small insects are particularly vulnerable to these engineered chemicals. Unfortunately, many species are becoming endangered or threatened. Due to cross pollination, crops that are not genetically modified are becoming contaminated. Some scientists are concerned that if this trend is not halted, unaltered food species will become severely compromised and may even go extinct (Kuiper et al, 2001). One noteworthy example is North Dakota’s genetically modified canola plants. Scientists took thousands of random seed samples from across the whole state. Nearly every sample – whether wild or domesticated – contained genetically modified seeds. Further studies identified genetically modified canola seeds in locations as far-reaching as Japan and Ireland. Researchers interpret this data as suggestive of cross-pollination in the wild (Biello, 2010). Furthermore, scientists maintain the genetically modified crops greatly increase the amount of herbicide used. Farmers know that their crops are resistant to most herbicides. Therefore, they tend to use these toxic chemicals more liberally. Since genetically modified James P Collins CS 300T 9/30/2013 6 crops are also modified to produce their own herbicides and pesticides, the end result is that even more toxins are added to the food supply, causing even more contamination (Dill, 2011). A final reason to ban GMF is the negative economic impact these food sources have on small farmers. Many local farmers, who pride themselves on naturally growing their products, are forced out of business due to rising food costs. They cannot compete with large farms that use genetically modified seeds and pesticides on their crops. As more and more organic farmers close their doors, the available unmodified, natural food sources decrease steadily. This, in turn, drives up the prices for consumers, making it harder for the average person to afford healthy alternatives. Local farmers oftentimes have their fields completely destroyed or are forced to forfeit their harvests due to cross pollination. Large seed companies, (such as Monsanto), patent their seeds. If these seeds contaminate the local farmers’ crops, then the mega-companies are legally permitted to confiscate the produce and destroy what remains. This is particularly problematic in developing countries. According to the Center for Food Safety, big seed companies attack and target any farmer who wants to save their seeds. This plan of attack consists of three stages: â€Å"investigations; coerced settlements; and, if that fails, litigation† (Lo, 2013). In the United States alone, Monsanto has sued 410 independent farmers and 56 small business owners for violations of seed patents (Lo, 2013). Unfortunately, this mega-company won every case to date. This resulted in their receiving over $24 million from small time farmers and businesses. Countless other businesses have been forced to close their doors due to threats from Monsanto and other mega-seed corporations (Lo, 2013). Presently, many companies are working to produce even more genetically modified plants and food sources that are even more resilient to predators. Also, many large companies James P Collins CS 300T 9/30/2013 7 are lobbying policy makers in order to have stricter laws and regulations enacted to protect their modified products (Lo, 2013). If these companies are allowed to continue with their agenda, there will be dire consequences. More people will develop horrific illnesses and diseases, the environment will suffer terribly, and local farmers will be forced out of business. The Union of Concerned Scientists (2013) has proposed five ways to prevent these hazardous products from further contaminating consumers’ food supply. First, they suggest that research funding for public crop breeding programs be expanded to help subsidize the cost of producing unaltered, natural food products. Second, they advocate public research funding to develop agro-ecologically based systems of farming. Third, they propose changing patent laws to allow independent companies to experiment on GMF without legal repercussions. Fourth, they maintain that stricter controls should be placed on GMF so that these products do not come to market until scientists and private researchers can better understand their health risks. Lastly, they support food labeling laws that mandate all GMF be labeled appropriately. In conclusion, GMF are detrimental to society as a whole. They are extremely unsafe for human consumption, pose huge risks to the natural environment, and place unfair and unnecessary stressors on local farmers. Due to the numerous uncertainties associated with GMF and the data that supports their harmful side effects, these products should be heavily monitored by government agencies and banned from the public market. It would be wise for the government to adopt the five suggestions put forth by the Union of Concerned Scientists in order to better protect its people. Unfortunately, mega-seed companies have substantially more disposable income than non-profit health and welfare organizations; therefore, they can afford to buy lobbyists to petition lawmakers to make rules and decisions profitable to their agendas. James P Collins CS 300T 9/30/2013 8. Works Cited Biello, D. (2010). Genetically modified crop on the loose and evolving in U. S. Midwest. Scientific American. http://www. scientificamerican. com/article. cfm? id=genetically modified-crop Dill, J. (2010). The dangers of GMOs: Know the environmental hazards. Natural News. http://www. naturalnews. com/029869_GMOs_dangers. html Edwards, R. (2013). GM expert warns of cancer risk from crops. Sunday Herald. 16 February 2013. Gaskill, G. , Bauer, M. , Durant, J. , Allum, N. C. (1999). Worlds apart? The reception of genetically modified foods in Europe and the U. S. Science, 285 (5426): 384-387. Kuiper, H. A. , Kleter, G. A. , Hub P. J. , Noteborn, J. M. , Kok, E. J. (2001). Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods. Plant Journal, 27 (6): 503-528. Lo, P. (2013). Monsanto bullies small farmers over planting harvested GMO seeds. British Broadcast Channel. 14 April 2013. N. A. (2013). 65 health risks of genetically modified foods. Institute for Responsible Technology. http://www. responsibletechnology. org/gmo-dangers/65-health-risks/1notes N. A. (2013). Genetic engineering in agriculture. Union of Concerned Scientists. http://www. ucsusa. org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic engine ering.

Effect Of Music And Noise On Working Memory Psychology Essay

Effect Of Music And Noise On Working Memory Psychology Essay Memory is an integral part of everyday life. It is required for simple tasks, such as keeping a phone number in mind before dialling it, or for more complex tasks such as learning a mathematical formula to apply to a sum. Memory is based on three basic processes. It can be defined as the process by which individuals encode, store and retrieve information (Feldman, 2004). Encoding is the receiving of sensory information and transforming it into some form which can be stored. Storing is the process of putting the information into memory. Retrieval is the process of gaining access to the stored information (Morgan, King, Weisz Schopler, 2008). The interaction of these three processes is required for the proper functioning of memory. Memory failure, that is forgetting, can occur when information has not been properly encoded and stored and therefore, there can be no retrieval (Baddeley, Eysenck and Anderson, 2009). The working of memory cannot be reduced to just a single explanation. It is composed of various interrelated systems. In 1968, the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of Memory was proposed. It stated a three stage model of memory. Information, which was recorded by an individuals sensory system, enters sensory memory which holds the information momentarily. The information then moves to short-term memory, where it is stored for 15 to 25 seconds. And finally, the information moves to long-term memory where it is relatively permanent. The amount and kind of rehearsal of the information determines whether the information will move from short-term memory to long-term memory, or not (Feldman, 2004). Stimulation of extremely brief duration is stored in sensory memory. This is the first kind of information presented by the environment to individuals. The term sensory memory denotes different types of memory (Feldman, 2004). In the early 1960s, scientists at Bell Laboratories in USA analysed the fleeting visual memory system, which later came to be known as iconic memory. It is the brief storage of visual information. The auditory counterpart or auditory sensory memory is echoic memory (Baddeley, Eysenck and Anderson, 2009). Iconic memory is said to last for less than a second while echoic memory lasts for two to three seconds. Sensory memory can store information for a very brief time only. If the information does not pass to short-term memory, then it is lost forever. Information that is stored transiently in sensory memory is not meaningful as it is only a representation of raw sensory stimuli. For long-term retention the information is passed on to short-term memory which is the next stage of memory (Feldman, 2004). Short-term memory is the performance on particular types of task involving the simple retention of small amounts of information which is tested either immediately or after a short delay. Short-term memory forms a part of working memory. There are various methods of testing short-term memory. One of the classical methods is the digit span test which requires remembering digits for a short period of time. Specific amounts of information can be held in short-term memory. George A. Miller, one of the founders of cognitive psychology, in 1956, suggested that memory capacity is limited by the number of chunks of information. A chunk is a meaningful group of stimuli that can be stored as a unit of short-term memory (Baddeley, Eysenck and Anderson, 2009). For the transfer of information to long-term memory from short-term memory, rehearsal is required. It is the repetition of information that has entered short-term memory. If elaborative rehearsal is used, the information is more likely to get transferred to long-term memory; otherwise it may only remain stored in short-term memory. Elaborative rehearsal is the strategic organization of information (Feldman, 2004). In the late 1960s, the idea of short-term memory being a unitary system was discarded and new theories emerged. These explained short-term memory as involving a number of systems interacting with each other. One such model is of verbal short-term memory. It is the concept of phonological loop. The phonological loop features a part in the multi-component working memory model proposed by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974. The phonological loop is composed of two parts, a short-term store and an articulatory rehearsal process. This store has a limited capacity. The items are stored as memory traces and decay within a few seconds. But, these traces can be retrieved by sub vocal rehearsal. A prominent feature of the short-term store is the phonological similarity effect. This is a tendency for immediate serial recall of verbal material to be reduced when the items are similar in sound. Therefore, remembering a series of dissimilar words is easier than remembering a list of words that are phonologically similar. But, this effect does not appear when the lists are lengthened and if there are several learning trials involved. It is also seen that there is a tendency for verbal memory span to decrease when longer words are used. This is the word length effect. Another factor which disrupts verbal short-term memory is the irrelevant sound effect. It was found that music interfered with digit recall. Vocal music was more disruptive that instrumental music. The retention of serial order can be disrupted by irrelevant stimuli provided they fluctuate over time. Another concept of short-term memory is the visuo-spatial short-term memory. The visual and spatial components have been proposed as a part of the visuo-spatial sketchpad which is a component of working memory. It is a counterpart of the phonological loop (Baddeley, Eysenck and Anderson, 2009). After the 1960s, short-term memory has transformed into the concept of working memory. According to this, information is not only retained for a short period of time, but can also be manipulated and can be involved in higher order processing activities such as comprehension, problem-solving and reasoning (Levin, Thurman and Kiepert, 2010). In 1974, Baddeley and Hitch drew two main observations from studying the effect of an irrelevant memory load on verbal reasoning. The first was that an irrelevant short-term memory task interfered with cognitive tasks. This was consistent with the idea of a common working memory system that combines temporary information storage with ongoing mental operations. Secondly, the concept of working memory went beyond that of short-term memory. It included an additional resource which was not shared with short-term memory (Graham J. Hitch). Working memory refers to the ability to coordinate mental operations with transiently stored information during cognitive activities (Graham J. Hitch). It is a system for temporary maintenance and manipulation of information that is helpful in performing complex tasks (Baddeley, Eysenck Anderson, 2009). An example of the usage of working memory is complex mental arithmetic where the task is broken down into several stages. The various stages have to be coordinated and the early stages generate transient information that has to be maintained for use in the later stages (Graham J. Hitch). Working memory and cognitive abilities are related to each other. Working memory affects cognitive tasks and, in turn, cognitive abilities are required for the understanding and manipulation of working memory. The Baddeley-Hitch Model of Working Memory, which was proposed in 1974, is highly influential and attempts to give a clear understanding of working memory. According to this model, working memory has three components: the phonological loop, the visuo-spatial sketchpad and the central executive. The phonological loop is specialized in holding sequences of acoustic items. The visuo-spatial sketchpad performs a similar function for visually and spatially encoded items. This entire system is controlled by the central executive which is an attentionally limited system that selects and manipulates material in the subsystems (Baddeley, Eysenck Anderson, 2009). A few factors affecting phonological memory are the phonemic similarity of items as well as the word length of the items. Memory spans vary with the length of the items. They are higher for shorter items than for longer items. But, these effects did not appear when the items were presented visually. Spoken stimuli accesses the articulatory loop automatically whereas visual inputs have to be verbally recoded, a control process that involves subvocalization. The phonological loop also explained why the presence of background speech disrupts short-term memory for visually presented verbal stimuli. According to Baddeley, irrelevant noise was easier to ignore than irrelevant speech which suggested that unattended speech enters the phonological store whereas non speech sounds do not. Working memory is thought to be under the control of the central executive. It is responsible for the coordination of mental activities in working memory as well as supervision of phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad and the interaction with long-term memory (Graham J. Hitch). In 2000, Baddeley proposed a fourth component of the working memory model which would explain its interaction with long-term memory. It was called the episodic buffer and was assumed to be a storage system which could hold about four chunks of information in a multidimensional code. It acts as a link between the various components of working memory, and connecting the components with input from long-term memory. It has been studied that music has a favourable effect on working memory. Classical music such as Mozarts Sonata for two pianos in D Major, K.448 and Vivaldis Four Seasons: Spring are said to have an especially beneficial effect, by improving cognitive performance of individuals (Copley, May). In 1993, Rauscher et al claimed that after listening to Mozarts sonata for 2 pianos (K.448) for ten minutes, subjects showed better spatial reasoning skills than after listening to relaxation instructions or silence (Jenkins, 2001). This came to be known as the Mozart Effect. Rauscher et al stated that the participants IQ increased by 8 to 9 points over the two other conditions- relaxation and silence (Smith, Waters and Jones, 2010). The Vivaldi Effect was observed in a study when it was found out that those who listened to Vivaldi while exercising increased their scores of verbal fluency tests after their workouts compared to those who exercised without music (Roberts, June). Background noise is any sound that distracts or interferes with an individuals focus of attention. Background noise is said to disrupt the concentration of an individual. It can affect a persons ability to think clearly and retain information and can impair learning and memory (Andrews, January). Noise can include road traffic, people talking in the background, etc. Working memory is an important component as everyday cognitive tasks rely on it. It is integral in the development of language and reading. The study aims to explore the influence of music (classical) and background noise on working memory, which is responsible for enabling complex cognitive activities. The Mozart Effect has been observed to have a beneficial effect on visuospatial performance. This study aims to see if it can be extended to the performance of working memory as well. The study will also observe whether conditions of silence and music will elicit a better performance of working memory than the condition of background noise and the condition of background noise and music. The objectives of this study are to find out if music has a positive effect on working memory and if noise has a detrimental effect on working memory. In addition, the study aims to compare the effects of silence and music on working memory as well as to find out if background noise and music will have a detrimental effect on working memory. The hypotheses of the study are that music will have a positive effect on working memory, noise will have a detrimental effect on working memory, silence will have a better result on the performance of working memory than music and background noise and music will have a detrimental effect on working memory. Chapter Two Review of Literature Various studies have been conducted which show the positive and detrimental effects of music and noise on working memory. The following research articles look at studies which have been conducted which express the relationships between music, noise and working memory. The Effects of Background Music and Noise on Working Memory was conducted by Amanda Eiras and Kaycee McNeil. It examines how verbal working memory was affected by background music and noise. The study was conducted on 14 participants between the ages of 18 to 30 years. The participants were made to recall a list of 30 words in 30 seconds under four conditions: in silence, in music, in noise and in music and noise. It was found that the presence of music was not statistically significant F(1,11) The Effect of Background Music and Noise on the Cognitive Test Performance of Introverts and Extraverts was conducted by Stacey Dobbs, Adrian Furnham and Alistair McClelland. This study examines whether background noise is as distracting as music and the effect it has on introverts and extroverts while they do cognitively complex tasks. 118 female school children between the ages of 11 to 18 years were the participants of the study. The participants were made to complete 3 tasks- RPM, Wonderlic Personnel Test and Verbal Reasoning Test Byron, 2006 under 3 conditions: noise condition, music condition and silence condition. The results showed that in RPM, the performance in silence was significantly better than in the presence of music and the performance in music was significantly better than in the presence of noise. In the Wonderlic Personality Test, the performance in silence and music was significantly better than in the presence of noise. The performance in the presence of silence was not significantly different from performance in the presence of music. In the test of verbal reasoning the performance in silence was significantly better than with music and just failed to be significantly better than with noise. There was no significant difference between performance under music and noise conditions. Recall of Words Heard in Noise was conducted by Anders Kjellberg, Robert Ljung and David Hallman. This study examines if recall of words and recognition of sentences, when orally presented, were affected by the presence of background noise. 32 participants between the ages of 18 to 34 years were chosen. The participants were required to complete two memory tasks: recall of words and recognition of sentences under two conditions- with background noise and without background noise. The results show that the number of words correctly recalled were significantly lower in the noisy condition (mean= 8.50 and 11.03 for noise and control condition respectively.) In the recognition of sentences task there was no significant differences between the conditions. Does music enhance cognitive performance in healthy older adults? was conducted by Nicola Mammarella, Beth Fairfield, and Cesare Cornoldi. This study examines whether music can enhance cognitive performance. 24 participants between the ages of 73 to 86 years of age were chosen. The participants were required to do two tests: a forward version of digit spans and word fluency test under three conditions: music, no music and white noise. The results for digit span show that the music condition showed a significant advantage over the white noise condition and the non-music condition. There was no difference between the white noise condition and the non-music condition. The results for the phonemic fluency show that there is a significant advantage of music over white noise and non-music conditions. And the difference between white noise and non-music conditions were not significant. Listening to the Vivaldi excerpt led subjects to show a significant increase in phonological working memor y capacity and phonemic fluency. Acoustical Barriers in Classrooms: The Impact of Noise on Performance in the Classroom was conducted by Julie E. Dockrell and Bridget M. Shield. The study examines the effect of classroom noise on the performance of primary school children. 158 children were chosen as participants for the study. Their mean age was 8 years and 6 months. The participants were given four tests to complete: an aptitude test, verbal tests which included reading and spelling, non-verbal tests and an arithmetic test under three different class noise conditions: base (normal classroom condition when children are working quietly and no one is talking), babble (noise consisting of childrens babble) and babble with environmental noise. The results showed that verbal task performance is worst in babble and best in base condition. In the non-verbal tests, the performance is best in the babble and environment noise condition. The study, The Effect of Background Music and Background Noise on the Task Performance of Introverts and Extraverts was conducted by Gianna Cassidy and Raymond A. R. Macdonald. This study examines the effects of music with high arousal potential and negative affect, music with low arousal potential and positive affect and everyday noise on the cognitive performance of introverts and extraverts. The sample size was 40. It included 20 university student, 10 adolescents and 10 non-studying/working adults. The materials used were music with lyrics and background noise (which was everyday general sound, classroom working sounds, traffic and conversation including laughter). The participants had to complete 5 cognitive tasks. They were the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test, a delayed recall task from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (version A, item 6 A), a free recall task which had 20 six letter words, a distractive task which was a numerical task and the delayed recall task. The participants completed the five tasks in one of the four background sound conditions: positive low arousal music which was relaxing, negative high arousal music which was aggressive, background noise and silence. Performance on all the tasks was poorer while listening to background sound (which includes music and noise) compared to completing the tasks in silence. Listening to high arousal music was significantly more detrimental to task performance than listening to low arousal music across all tasks. Background noise and high arousal music significantly reduced performance across all tasks compared to the silence condition. High arousal music was more detrimental to task performance the Stroop task. The Effects of Acute Background Noise on Recognition Tasks was conducted by Daniel Diegard. 23 students were chosen as the participants for the study and the mean age was 22 years. The materials used were random white noise, encoding items, a distracter task which was a mental arithmetic task and a working memory capacity test which required the participants to complete an arithmetic test and alternating between equations and memorizing word sequences. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the four noise conditions effects on the participants recognition score. There was a significant within-subject effect on the participants response times, dependant on the presence of noise during the recognition part [F(1,21)=5.60, p=0.028] and also a between-subject ffect for the two experimental groups [F(1,21)=8.57, p=0.008]. Background white noise had no significant effect on the participants learning capacity. It was seen that the interaction effect of the experi mental group and encoding noise did approach significance. The results of this study are shown to be inconsistent with most previous studies conducted. Effects of Prior Exposure to Office Noise and Music on Aspects of Working Memory was conducted by Andrew Smith, Beth Waters and Hywel Jones. The participants of this study were 36 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 to 25 years. This study was further divided into two studies. The first examined whether habituation occurred to office noise and how long it takes for habituation. The second study was an attempt to replicate the Mozart Effect which represents an improvement in spatial reasoning following listening to Mozart. In the first experiment, a mental arithmetic task was given to the participants. After the first mental arithmetic task, a habituation period to office noise was presented for five minutes. There were three conditions which were used. The first was continuous noise condition which was heard throughout the presentation of all the mental arithmetic tasks and the habituation periods. The second was the noise control condition in which the participants heard n oise during the mental arithmetic task but not during the intervening habituation period. The final condition was the quiet condition in which no noise was presented during the mental arithmetic task. The habituation phase was for 20 minutes in total placed between the arithmetic tasks. The results showed that there was a significant effect of noise condition [F(2,33)=8.3, p In the second experiment 24 undergraduate students were chosen to be the participants. Their mean age was 22 years. The participants had to complete spatial ability tasks in three conditions: after listening to Mozarts piano sonata, after positive mood induction and after sitting in silence. The results showed that the participants had higher scores on the test in the Mozart condition than in the other 2 conditions. Music Listening While You Learn: No Influence of Background Music on Verbal Learning was conducted by Lutz Jancke and Pascale Sandmann. This study examined the influence of listening to background music on verbal learning performance. The sample size of this study was 75 and the participants were randomly assigned to five groups. The participants had to learn the presented verbal material with and without background music. Each group of participants was exposed to one of five different background stimuli: in-tune fast, in-tune slow, out-of-tune fast, out-of-tune slow and noise. This study did not find any consistent or consequential influence of background music on verbal learning. There was neither an enhancement nor a decrease in verbal learning performance during the presentation of the background sound conditions. The Relative and Perceived Impact of Irrelevant Speech, Vocal Music and Non-Vocal Music on Working Memory was a study conducted by Thomas R. Alley and Marcie E. Greene. The sample size of this study was 60. The study examined the effects of vocal music, equivalent instrumental music and irrelevant speech on working memory to understand how music affects performance and the degree of impairment. The participants completed a digit span task in the presence of irrelevant speech, vocal music, instrumental versions of the vocal music and silence. The results of this study showed that speech and vocal music hindered performance. The performance in instrumental music was better than that of vocal music but was not significantly different from speech or silence. Chapter Three Methodology The aim of this research will be to study the effects of music and background noise on working memory. Research Design A quantitative study will be carried out and experimental research design will be used. The study will involve a group of individuals who will be made to recall lists of words under four different conditions- silence, background noise, music and music and background noise. Hypotheses Music will have no effect on working memory. Noise will have no effect on working memory. Silence will have no effect on working memory. Background noise and music will have no effect on working memory. Sampling Sample size consisting of 40 individuals including males and females in the age range of 19 to 23 years. The sampling method to be used will be convenience sampling. The study is an experimental and quantitative research as variables will be measured and analysed using statistical techniques. Ethical Consideration Informed consent will be given to the participants before the experiment is conducted to ensure that their participation is voluntary. Confidentiality of identity of the participants will be guaranteed. The participants will be allowed to leave the experiment when they want. Tools Used 16 list of 20 words each Mozarts Sonata for 2 pianos in D, K.448 Vivaldi- Spring Clip of background noise on a busy street Data Analysis The Analysis of Variance or ANOVA will be used as there are more than two variables which will be taken into consideration as well as the interaction between the two. Operational Definitions Working Memory- Working memory is the ability to temporarily store words while performing other cognitive tasks. Music- Music can be defined as the vocal and instrumental sound to produce form, harmony and expression. Noise- Noise is defined as unwanted sound. In this study, noise is that which is not important to the main focus of attention.

Islamic Feminism: An overview

Islamic Feminism: An overview Introduction Feminism is a secular ideology and Islam today rests on fundamentalist foundations. Those who advocate that feminist projects be conducted within an Islamic framework have clearly despaired of secular options for change without considering how have elaborated Lilas argument against the possibility of the coexistence of Islam and feminism because it explains the anxiety many Muslim women public intellectuals, including Chandra Talpade (2003), Jasmine (2004), and Martin (2003), feel as they watch the Taliban taking away womens rights in Afghanistan, the Algerian Front Islamique de Salut targeting women intellectuals, the fundamentalist Sudanese government oppressing its women. Many are sure that compromise with such a religion is fatal. Some women are joining religious groups despite their gender conservatism. Others are fighting these same groups, fearing the dangerous chemistry of politics and religion. Whether through or against religion they are choosing to become part of the struggle for a better world. The question many pose to women who voluntarily Islamize is: Do they accept their communities reactionary norms or do they appropriate and in the process subvert them? If there are some who can be considered feminists according to my definition of the term, how do they adapt their convictions that women have certain rights with the perceived need to subsume them to the community interest? How will the ways in which they position themselves to assert responsibility for the construction of their own, new religious identity change the face of Islam? How does participation in jihad allow for feminist activism? These are the questions which are imposed and discussed by Amina Wadud, Badran (1995), Hamid (2006), Saba ( 2005), Lila (2002) and other writers in their respective books and articles. Feminism according to Holy Quran The Quran is unequivocally opposed to gender equality, and the Sharia is not compatible with the principles of equality of human beings (Afshar, 1996, p.122). Despite its growing currency throughout the Muslim world, Lila asserts that Islamic feminism has no coherent, self-identified and/or easily identifiable ideology or movement. Those who advocate its utility as a concept and a marker for a specific brand of feminism are not women from within Muslim societies but rather diasporic feminist academics and researchers of Muslim background living and working in the West (126). These women she later characterizes as exceptionally forgiving, postmodern relativist feminists in the West whose indigenized and exotic form of Western feminism excludes core ideas of legal and social equity, sexual democracy and womens control over their sexuality (146). The attitudes to Islamic feminism span the gamut of leftists like herself who reject its possibility because they consider divine laws inherently hostile toward feminism, to those who posit that feminism within an Islamic framework is the only culturally sound and effective strategy for the regions womens movement (134). The latter group may include secularists overwhelmed by the political and discursive influence of Islamic fundamentalism (134). Here lies the major problem in Lilas argument: she confounds Islam and Islamic fundamentalism, as though the two were the same. This affirmation, she dramatically asserts, relies on twisting facts or distorting realities, ignoring or hiding that which should be clear (135). Her very real fear is that to celebrate Islamic feminism is to highlight only one of the many forms of identity available to Middle Eastern women, obscuring ways that identity is asserted or reclaimed, overshadowing forms of struggle outside religious practices and silencing the secular voices which are still raised against the regions stifling Islamification policies (137-38). An Anti-Modern Feminist Perspective A considerably different perspective is presented in Anouar Majids â€Å"The Politics of Feminism in Islam.† Majid is wary of the dangers of imposing Western feminist traditions on non-Western cultures and attempts therefore to recuperate a feminist tradition within traditional Islamic culture, though he is not entirely successful in doing so. Majid recognizes that the problems women face in Islamic societies cannot be divorced from European colonialism. For Majid, the political and economic structures that have resulted from independence from European domination have not emancipated the poor (341). He feels that nationalist elites have established Eurocentric models of government, namely nation-states (342, n. 17). For Majid, representations of Islamic culture as undemocratic and patriarchal reify the history of Muslim culture and downplay the impact of imperialism on gender relations in Islamic countries (349). Majid finds that a major problem in attempting to develop Islamic feminist perspectives is the difficulty of overcoming the Western and often Orientalist biases that pervade feminist thought. These biases include a dehistoricised notion of human rights and â€Å"an implicit acceptance of the bourgeois political apparatus as a reliable mechanism for negotiating the grievances of the exploited† (339). Western feminism cannot be readily separated from hostility to Islamic culture, according to Majid. To illustrate the point, he cites the example of upper-class Islamic women who have sometimes embraced Western feminist values and in the process â€Å"condemned native customs as backward, proclaimed the superiority of the West, and uncompromisingly equated unveiling with liberation† (338). Females in Islam Even though women may have high-status professional jobs and make important decisions in the course of the day, and even though Islamic sharia insists that women have the right to keep their income, it appears that husbands continue to control the decisions concerning expenditures. The husband is pivotal in allowing his wife to work in the interest of the welfare of the family, he is also the final arbiter in defining what constitutes that welfare. In many instances, while accepting that she may work outside the home, he will not allow her to participate in public events. As already noted, Oven the power of the constitutions of various countries affirming the determination of the sharia that men are in charge of women, there is little chance for change in the foreseeable future. Modernization and urbanization, however, have brought about certain changes in family life. One is a preference for nuclear families. This has altered the traditional power of the mother-in-law which has been undermined by the new system. Instead of being a guest in her mother-in-laws home, the bride gets to be in charge of her own household. But, if she also has to go out to work in order to maintain private residence, her workload is doubled. In addition, the change in housing design from the traditional open courtyard with a garden and opening to the sky to the small apartment has confined the woman and restricted her contact with other members of the family as well as with nature. If her husband restricts her going out, she feels imprisoned and lacks contact with friends and intimate relations. Zine identifies what she sees as the roles for women, determined by the tripartite class structure of Arab society: the working class, the middle class, and the upper class. In the working class, she says, a sharp distinction is made between feminine and masculine characteristics (Zine, 2006, p.19). Conclusion One of the themes that emerges from contemporary writing about Muslim women is that of woman as victim of the experience of oppression in developing countries. The oppression is not unique to the Arab context but is a consequence of disempowerment and feelings of impotence. The condition of the woman serves to demonstrate the extremes of disempowerment. She has become the projection of the inadequacy of the society, shackled with the burden of failure and weakness. Her inherent worth is devalued in relation to her physique, intellect, gender, productivity, and status. At the same time, her role as mother is symbolically elevated. Islam provides security and equivalence to the females and it has made many laws which secures the importance of females in this male dominant world. References Abu-Lughod, Lila 2002. Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others. In American Anthropologist, Vol. 104, No. 3, pp. 783-790 Afshar, Haleh 1996. Islam and Feminism: An Analysis of Political Strategies. In Feminism and Islam: Legal and Literary Perspectives, ed. Mai Yamani. NY: New York University Press, p.122-138 Badran, Margot 1995. Feminists, Islam and Nation: Gender and Feminists, Islam, and Nation: Gender and the Making of Modern Egypt. Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University Press. Hamid, Shadi 2006. ‘Between Orientalism and Posrmodernism: the changing nature of Western Feminist thought towards the middle east’, HAWWA 4,1:76-92. Mahmood, Saba 2005. Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject (Princeton: Princeton University Press). Mahmood, Saba 2006. ‘Performativity, Agency, and the Feminist Subject‘, in (eds) Ellen Armour and Susan St. Ville, Bodily Citations: Religion and Judith Butler (New York, Columbia Uni Press). ISBN 0-231-13407-X Majid, Anouar 1998. The Politics of Feminism in Islam, Signs, Vol. 23, No. 2, p. 321-361 Martin F McLelland 2004 ‘Re-placing queer studies: reflections on the queer matters conference’, in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies vol 6, number 2: 299- 311. Talpade, Chandra 2003. Feminism without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity. Durham London: Duke University Press. P.71 Zine, Jasmine 2004. Creating a critical faith-centred space for antiracist feminism, in Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion. Vol. 20, No. 2, Pages 167-187 Zine, Jasmine 2006. Between Orientalism and Fundamentalism: The Politics of Muslim Womens Feminist Engagement, Muslim World Journal of Human Rights: Vol. 3, p.19 Public Health Issue Analysis: Smoking Public Health Issue Analysis: Smoking ENHANCING HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACROSS POPULATIONS: INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this essay is to identify a public health issue related in my field. To facilitate the discussion smoking as a public health issue has been chosen. The holistic impact smoking have on the wellbeing of an individual will be explored. The stage of change model and the Healthy Lives (2010) policy will be explored in relation to smoking. The rationale for choosing this topic is because smoking is an important public health issue. The smoke is very toxic to every human tissue it touches on its way into, through and out of the smoker’s body (Ewles 2005). Smoking is considered as a health hazard because Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a poisonous alkaloid, and other harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, acrolein, ammonia and tars.Gorvenment initiatives like the Public Health White Paper, choosing health; Making Choices Easier (DH 2004) will be addressed. The nurse’s role and other professions involved will be highlighted .Confidentiality shall be maintained throughout this essay as prescribed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008). The impact of tobacco smoking on public health extends beyond the direct effects on the individual smoker and their personal health, plus taking into account the effect on their economic, environmental and social effects (Ewles 2005).). Smoking harms nearly every org an of the body thereby causing many diseases, reducing quality of life and life expectancy. Also it has been estimated that in England, 364,000 patients are admitted to NHS hospitals each year due to smoking related diseases which translates into about 7,000 hospital admission per week and 1,000 admissions per day (ASH 2006). In the UK, smoking causes about a fifth of all deaths, approximately 114,000 each year, most of which are premature with an average of 21 years early (Ewles 2005). According to Peto et. al. (2003) cited in Ewles (2005), most premature deaths caused by smoking are Lung and coronary cancer, chronic obstructive heart diseases and coronary heart diseases with 42800, 29100 and 30600 deaths respectively every year. In addition, smoking is known to also bring increased risk of many debilitating conditions like impotence, infertility, gum disease, asthma and psoriasis (Ewles 2005). Research has also shown that non-smokers are put at risk by exposure to other peopleâ₠¬â„¢s smoke which is known as passive or involuntary smoking and is also referred to as second-hand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (Cancer Research 2009). According to the Oxford Medical Companion (1994) cited in the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2008, â€Å"tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used entirely as intended†. Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the World which causes one in ten deaths among adults worldwide and in 2005, tobacco caused about 5.4million deaths, an average of one death every six second Certain behaviors have been labeled as risky behaviors associated with negative health outcomes among which smoking is and which has been the subject of UK national health strategies (Naidoo Wills 2005). Smoking causes about one fifth of all deaths in the UK, most of which are premature and has hugely significant impacts on the wider environment and community through causing air pollution, fires, litter and environmental damage (Ewles 2005). Prevalence of smoking among the low paid groups has been observed to be twice those of the affluent groups because of the great difficulty people in the less affluent groups experience in stopping smoking (Ewles 2005). Tobacco smoking is also widely recognized as a cause of health inequality in the UK because it is common among the deprived groups and also compromises the already poorer health of deprived population such as those that fall within the marginalized groups. Examples are people with mental problems and prisoners, who are more likely to smoke and less likely to have access to mainstream smoking cessation services (Ewles 2005). The Index of multiple deprivation ranks areas from the most deprived to the least deprived and the odds of smoking increases as deprivation in the area increases (The NHS Information centre 2008). Children smoke for all sorts of reasons. Some smoke to show their independence, others because their friends do while some smoke because adults tell them not to and others do smoke to follow the example of role models. There is no single cause. Parents, brothers and sisters who smoke are a powerful influence. Also is the way it is been advertised and the tobacco companies sponsor sport which makes children want to try it (DH 1998). The problems of smoking during pregnancy are closely related to health inequalities between those in need and the most advantaged. Women with partners in manual groups are more likely to smoke during pregnancy than those with partners in non-manual groups: 26 per cent of women with partners in manual groups smoke during pregnancy, compared with 12 per cent with partners doing non-manual work (DH 1998). Health promotion is a complex activity and is difficult to define. Davies and Macdowall (2006) describe health promotion as â€Å"any strategy or intervention that is designed to improve the health of individuals and its population†. However perhaps one of the most recognized definitions is that of the World Health Organization’s who describes health promotion as â€Å"a process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health (WHO 1986). If we look at this in relation to the nurse’s role in smoking cessation and giving advice to a patient, this can be seen as a positive concept in that with the availability of information together with support, the patient is then able to make an informed decision, thus creating empowerment and an element of self control. Bright (1997) supports this notion suggesting that empowerment is created when accurate information and knowledgeable advice is given, thus aiding the development of personal skills and self esteem. A vital component of health promotion is health education which aims to change behavior by providing people with the knowledge and skills they require to make healthier decisions and enable them to fulfill their potential. Healthy Lives Healthy People (2010) highlight the vital role nurses play in the delivery of health promotion with particular attention on prevention at primary and secondary levels.Nurses have a wealth of skills and knowledge and use this knowledge to empower people to make lifestyle changes and choices. This encourages people to take charge of their own health and to increase feelings of personal autonomy (Christensen 2006). Smoking is one of the biggest threats to public health, therefore nurses are in a prime position to help people to quit by offering encouragement, provide information and refer to smoking cessation services. In 2010 the white paper Healthy Live Healthy People set out the government long term policy for improving public health and in 2011 a new tobacco control plan was published (Department of Health 2011). The Whitepaper Healthy Life Healthy People set out a range of measures aimed at preventing people from starting to smoke and helping them to stop, such as banning cigarettes advertising on billboards, in size and action on tobacco intensified (DH, 2011). WHO defines health promotion a process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve, their health. It implies that the ideology moves beyond a focus on individual behavior towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions. Naidoo and Wills (2010), states ‘health promotion is based on theories about what influences people’s health and what are effective interventions or strategies to improve health.

Many Lives, Many Masters Essay -- essays research papers

Many Lives Many Masters Many Lives, Many Masters is a book about a psychologist Brian L. Weiss, who by helping his patient he helps himself as well. Through Catherine he learned that his conventional approach through the scientific method and medication was not the proper way to heal his patients. Catherine comes in with anxiety, panic attacks and phobias and wants a way out of it all. Dr. Weiss approaches the situation in a scientific manner as he does with all of his patients, he doesn’t get very far until he decided to use hypnosis. He would have liked to use medication but her fear of swallowing pills prevented that. During hypnosis she begins to remember her childhood but not this childhood her past life. At first Dr. Weiss is very skeptical I mean there is no scientific explanation for this but he decides to continue. In her past lives he begins to discover why she has so many of the fears and phobias that she has. As well, during hypnosis she begins to identify others in her life now as some f rom her past lives. During one of these hypnosis after her death a different voice begins to speak. This voice knows things about Dr. Weiss’ past that no one else would and could know because he never shared the details with Catherine about his personal life. This Masters begins to tell him about his meaning in life, a message. One that through his religious beliefs as well as through his scientific methods he could not understand. The Masters spoke of many plains that were reached throughout your past lives. You could only reach these plains if you solved the problem you had in your life. For example, if you leave a life and never learn to trust in your next life, you must learn to trust. If this is achieved you would be able to reach to the next plain and receive more knowledge. He began to believe and listen. Through this listening, he began to have new meaning in his life and learned how to help Catherine through hers. He than began to try to reach the end of Catherineâ⠂¬â„¢s lives to get to the end in the hope that the Masters would relay another message through Catherine. The masters did not appear every time that Catherine remembered a death in her past life only when they decided to relay this message. These messages then stopped and Catherine was cured. Then years later Dr. Weiss believed it was time for him to pass this message to others through his b... ... was a phase in my life, which I had to learn from as difficult as it was for me it made me a much stronger person. They chose before they were born what they were to accomplish and when they should leave. The full meaning to why they passed away so young I don’t think I’ll fully be able to understand now but in time I will. Time should not be of so much importance to me. The idea of forever I think is the hardest for me to understand. I think even Marlo in Mutant Message didn’t fully understand the definition brought about by the â€Å"Real People.† It is also something, which in time we will be able to understand. I have to forget the past and worry about now and not that I won’t have time to do everything I want to do. I have a meaning and that is what I should focus on what I came to this life to do and learn. Only then will I be able to focus more clearly on what is important and not clutter my mind with everything that is going around me. I do think though that my meaning or at least on is to help people to be the alternative to medication as Dr. Brian Weiss believes now. I believe that through music therapy I will be able to help others and teach them to help themselves as well.

Catch22 :: Essays Papers

Catch22 In Catch-22, Joseph Heller reveals the perversions of the human character and society. Using various themes and a unique style and structure, Heller satirizes war and its values as well as using the war setting to satirize society at large. By manipulating the "classic" war setting and language of the novel Heller is able to depict society as dark and twisted. Heller demonstrates his depiction of society through the institution of war (i.e. it's effects and problems during and after war). Heller’s satire of war and his anti war themes evoke pleasure and disquietude to show the mess of war, the victimization of the conscripts, and the monstrous egotism of the top brass. Catch-22 shows how the individual soldier loses his uniqueness not as much from the battlefield like other novels set during a war, but from the bureaucratic mentality. An example of this Lt. Scheisskopf's obsession with parades that he sees the men more as puppets than as human beings. At one point in the novel, he even wants to wire them together so their movements will be perfectly precise--just as mindless puppets would be. This theme also appears when Colonel Cathcart keeps increasing the number of missions his squadron must fly--not for military purposes, but to solely enhance his prestige. One other example of this theme is in the novel, when Yossarian is wounded. He is told to take better care of his leg because it is government property. Soldiers, therefore, are not even people, but simply property that can be listed on an inventory. In a bureaucracy, as Heller shows, individuality does not matter. In form, Catch-22 is a social satire--it is a novel using absurd humor to discredit or ridicule aspects of our society. The target in Catch-22 is not just the self-serving attitudes of some military officers, but also the Air Force itself as a mad military bureaucracy. The humor in the novel along with descriptive styles such as: Doc Daneeka, "roosted dolorously like a shivering turkey buzzard"; the mountains, blanketed in a "mesmerizing quiet," Yossarian, wet "with the feeling of warm slime," "lavender gloom clouding the entrance of the operations tent" These descriptive styles help depart from pure realism--they serve to transcend physical reality by making sensations metaphors for states of mind and by attributing unusual qualities to objects, making the reader take a second look at familiar objects and feelings.

An Examination of the History, Development, and Uses of the Beck Depression Inventory

An Examination of the History, Development, and Uses of the Beck Depression Inventory Maya A. Butler Richmont Graduate University Dr. Aaron Beck is a psychiatrist widely known for developing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); a self-assessment instrument used to assess the severity of depression in adolescents and adults. During his work, Beck highlighted the negative thoughts experienced by his patients, and believed it was these thoughts that caused depression within them.From here, Beck developed a three-part thought process that exhibited how a person’s negative view of the world, their future, and themselves affected their depression level (Brown, Hammond, Craske, & Wickens, 1995). These components were used to construct what we have come to know as the Beck Depression Inventory. Throughout test development of the BDI, three separate instruments were created: the BDI, BDI-IA, and BDI-II.The first BDI was developed in 1961 by Aaron Beck, Clyde Ward, Myer Mendelson, John Mock, and John Erbaugh. It could be administered individually or in a group format, in written or oral form, and the test manual indicated total administration time to be no more than 15 minutes, irrespective of the mode of administration (Carlson, p. 117-118). It consisted of twenty-one questions that measured the patient’s feelings within the past week. Each question had four possible answer choices that ranged in depression intensity.In order to score the test, a value between zero and three was assigned to each answer, added, and compared to a key in order to determine the patient’s depression severity. Scores from the BDI could range from 0 to 63, and higher scores indicated severer depression symptoms. Some of the answer items on the BDI had identical numerical value to them, though the statements were not identical. This led to revision of the BDI and introduction of the BDI-IA (Beck, Steer, and Garbin, 1988). The BDI-IA was developed in 1971 by Beck and copyrig hted in 1978.In order to make the test more user-friendly and efficient in measuring depression, similar answer items with identical scoring on a question were removed, and test subjects were asked to evaluate their feelings for a time frame of two weeks instead of one (Beck, Steel, Ball, and Ranieri, 1996). Using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of reliability, it was determined the BDI-IA reliability was around 0. 85, suggesting that items on the BDI-IA are highly correlated with one another (Ambrosini, Metz, Bianchi, Rabinovich, and Undie, 1991).However, one of the main problems with this instrument was its inability to address all nine criteria for depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III (DSM-III). In response to this, the BDI-II was developed. In 1996, the BDI-II was introduced; mainly due to the release of revised criteria for Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM-IV in 1994. Some of the changes made to the BDI-II were the replacement of items that measured changes in body image, work difficulty, and hypochondria.In addition to this, items that measured sleep loss and appetite loss were changed to examine increases and decreases in both sleep and appetite. The entire question wording was changed on the BDI-II except questions used to measure sexual interest, suicidal thoughts, and questions dealing with feelings of being punished. In addition to this, the measuring scale used to evaluate the total points from the BDI-II was changed. When compared with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Pearson correlation coefficient between this test and the BDI-II was 0. 1, which proves both instruments agree with one another (Beck, Steel, Ball, and Ranieri, 1996). In addition to this, the BDI-II has a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0. 92, surpassing its predecessor the BDI. In addition to improving the relation between its instrument items, the BDI-II can be scored and interpreted via computer software. The BDI- II has expanded well beyond its original intended application with psychiatric populations. In addition to its continued use among this population, it is accepted and commonly used by clinicians as a screening instrument among normal populations (Carlson, p. 17). Because it is designed to reflect the depth of depression, it can be used to monitor changes over time, and objectively measure the likelihood of improvement and the effectiveness of treatment methods (Beck, Ward, Mendelson, Mock, and Erbaugh, 1961). The facts stand that the BDI-II is a simple measure that encompasses the majority of symptoms associated with depression, is easily and rapidly administered, and can be scored and interpreted via computer software. However, it is only a quality instrument when it is used in samples with cooperative subjects; not exaggerated or minimized by the erson completing the instrument (Waller, p. 121). In cases where a person could be motivated to deceive or malinger, the administrator i s advised to use additional or less transparent means of assessment (Carlson, p. 119). In addition to this, the intent and purpose for using the BDI-II is for assessment and not diagnosis. Improper use of this assessment for diagnosing can create falsely positive or negative results. References Ambrosini PJ, Metz C, Bianchi MD, Rabinovich H, Undie A (January 1991). â€Å"Concurrent validity and psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory in outpatient adolescents†.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 30 (1): 51–7. doi:10. 1097/00004583-199101000-00008. PMID 2005064. http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/sites/entrez. Beck AT, Steer RA, Ball R, Ranieri W (December 1996). â€Å"Comparison of Beck Depression Inventories -IA and -II in psychiatric outpatients†. Journal of Personality Assessment 67 (3): 588–97. doi:10. 1207/s15327752jpa6703_13. PMID 8991972. http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/sites/entrez. Beck AT, Steer RA, G arbin MG J (1988). â€Å"Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory Twenty-five years of evaluation†. Clin. Psych. Review 8: 77-100.Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, Erbaugh J (June 1961). â€Å"An inventory for measuring depression†. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 4 (6): 561–71. doi:10. 1001/archpsyc. 1961. 01710120031004. PMID 13688369. Brown GP, Hammen CL, Craske MG, Wickens TD (August 1995). â€Å"Dimensions of dysfunctional attitudes as vulnerabilities to depressive symptoms†. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 104 (3): 431–5. doi:10. 1037/0021-843X. 104. 3. 431. PMID 7673566. http://content. apa. org/journals/abn/104/3/431. (2012, 10). Beck Depression Inventory. StudyMode. com. Retrieved 10, 2012, from http://www. studymode. com/essays/Beck-Depression-Inventory-617021. html